Jr. Police Academy to Link Teens, Cops

Barbara Arnold |

You’re driving. A police officer stops you and asks to see your driver’s license. Why? What goes on in the forensics science lab? How is a crime scene investigated? Sixty Eau Claire youths, ages 12 to 17, will be able to learn these things and more in the first-ever Junior Police Academy this summer at the Eau Claire Police Department. “We want to connect with our youth in a comfortable setting where they can meet our officers as friends, neighbors, and teachers, and transform the traditional role of an officer as an authority figure into one as mentor and role model,” said Sgt. Ben Frederick, who spearheaded the academy. “As a result, we hope to foster lasting partnerships to motivate our youth to become responsible citizens.” The free sessions will be offered June 13-17 or Aug. 8-12 from 8am to noon. The program is open to any student who attends a public or private Eau Claire school, and applications can be found at www.eauclairewi.gov/JPA. Applications are first-come, first-serve. Completed applications can be delivered or mailed before Friday, May 13, to the Eau Claire Police Department, Attn: Sgt. Ben Frederick, 721 Oxford Ave., Suite 1400, Eau Claire, WI 54702-0496. For more information, visit www.eauclairewi.gov/JPA, email Benjamin.Frederick@eauclairewi.gov, or call (715) 839-4990.