Peekskill's Youth Police Academy Begins This Week

Young people in Peekskill are spending more time at the Police Department this summer – and that’s a good thing.

The Peekskill Youth Police Academy for 2011 begins today. The free, full-day program welcomes 25 to 30 participants between ages 12 and 15 each year. For 10 days in August the academy’s young cadets participate in activities that simulate car stops, building searches, drunken-driving arrests and more.

“The premise of the program is to introduce the youth of our area to policing and law enforcement,” program leader Capt. Cathy Johansen said. “We essentially take a day in the life of a Peekskill police officer and stretch it out over 10 days. … Every activity is geared toward educating the cadets on how and why a police officer does what he or she does."

The Youth Police Academy, which began in the summer of 2003, remains free this year thanks to funding from the city of Peekskill and donations from organizations including Wheelabrator and Entergy.  Participants are provided with everything they need for the experience, including T-shirts and caps, lunch, snacks and transportation to field trips.  

The only requirement for anyone who wants to join? You must be between 12 and 15 years old.

“We focus on this age group for several reasons,” Johansen said. “The cadets are still young and curious and haven’t solidified their views on the world around them, and many of them have a skewed vision of what police officers are all about. Another reason is this age group forces the police officers themselves to relax and have a good time with it. Many officers only deal with negative experiences with today’s youth – this gives them a chance to remember that most youth are just looking for guidance and acceptance."

Johansen said each cadet will leave the experience with important life lessons. “From day one we stress teamwork and character. … Negative behavior is not tolerated and a cadet could lose their spot in the academy if they refuse to cooperate with those around them."

As for proof that this character-building works, former cadets who are now over 15 often return to the academy each year to help out as staff members.

All slots are filled this year, but the Police Department accepts news applications each spring.