After six weeks of presentations, demonstrations and interactive exercises, 10 participants completed the Menlo Park youth community police academy and were recognized at a graduation ceremony Saturday, October 12, 2019.

The participants were commended for their commitment and active involvement in this 30-hour program spanning over six Saturdays. They learned about the various aspects of public safety. The curriculum consisted of presentations and practical, hands-on exercises in areas of laws of arrest, crime scene investigations, traffic enforcement, narcotics enforcement, firearms, defensive tactics, fire rescue and rappelling, and many other law enforcement functions and responsibilities. 

Police officers, fire personnel and various department staff facilitated the sessions on topics in their areas of knowledge, skill and experience. The energetic and curious young adults were engaged, attentive and motivated to learn. The next community police academy will be an adult academy held in 2020. The next youth community police academy will be offered again in 2021.

Participants are encouraged to continue learning about law enforcement through the local Police Explorer program. The program proves to be a successful tool in the recruitment of future police officers, as several Menlo Park Police Explorers have gone on to graduate at the top of their Police Academy classes, receiving some of the highest achievement awards and entered successful law enforcement careers. Besides becoming police officers, additional police explorer participants have been hired in parking and community service officer positions within the Police Department. 

For more information, visit the Police Explorer webpage or contact Officer Victoria Trask.