Over 100 Kids Take Part in Melrose Junior Police Academy

This summer’s Junior Police Academy was a huge among Melrose children, drawing 106 participants. The turnout was more than double than that of the previous year, Chief Michael Lyle said.

48 children participated in the session in 2014. Many of those children returned for this year’s academy, which offered two separate sessions in July, for girls and boys ages 10 through 13.

The academy sessions were held at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Classes were led by Sgt. Chuck Byrne, Officer Jim Applegate and Officer Al Brown. Ten high school and college students also volunteered their time as counselors for the two weeks.

“This year’s program was a huge success and we’re certainly excited to see how popular its become among the community,” Chief Lyle said. “The academy wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of the officers at the Melrose Police Department and our community partners.”

Those who took part in the academy participated in an exercise program at the Melrose High School athletic complex. Team competitions were held at the end of the workouts.

Children also spent time in a classroom setting. They learned about cyber-safety, bullying, detective functions, traffic and bike safety, police patrol procedures, the department’s motorcycle unit, drug investigations and substance abuse prevention.

This year’s academy marked just the second since the early 1980s. The program was relaunched in 2014.

Photo Credit: Melrose Police Dept.