How (to establish procedures)? HOW covers a wide range of rules and logistical considerations that will be unique to each program. Think of “How” as those things that impact each day of the academy: conduct, pacing, ect. Here are a few “hows” to think about it:
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Debrief & Adjust
Code of Conduct
The end of each day furnishes you with time to evaluate what went right and what did not.
You will want to establish strict, unwavering rules of conduct for your cadets.
Police officers are accustomed to debriefings, and I have seen it put to effective use in places like Everett, Washington.
The Junior Police Academy draws upon, at least in spirit, the experience of attending an actual police academy. As with an actual academy, you will need to articulate and enforce rules governing cadet conduct. Every officer will have their own personal take on setting the rules.
Sgt Robert Goetz gathers his team of SRO's together for an end of the day verbal report. It's a process of team-evaluation that will steadily improve your academy. Sgt. Goetz and his team also use a portion of the time to review the schedule for the following day. Whether you work with a team of officers or are a one-man show, you will always be looking for ways to improve on “how� you did.
While deference should be given to the school's existing rules, don't hesitate to institute a code of conduct that goes well beyond what is expected of the general student population. Setting a higher standard of ethics and integrity for cadets can itself become a learning
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experience. Just as a higher standard is required of police officers, so too will it be required of cadets.
While not all aspects of a police academy can be or should be duplicated, setting a standard for conduct is essential. Many times you will find that the students expect some of the trappings of an academy or boot camp -inspections, proper attire and official ways of addressing each other.
Best advice: Be consistent with your enforcement of the rules.
The Expectation of Structure
Make no mistake, a more regimented approach and strict adherence to “rules” is part of the program’s trappings and appeal. The vary name of the program sets up an expectation of order most cadets expect and will enthusiastically support.
Ultimately, of course, cadets must be dealt with far differently than police recruits or soldiers. Ask any SRO: young people need inspiration, not just orders; they need friendship, not a drill instructor; and most importantly, they require a role model.
(Without it, they feel jipped. Trust me.) From day one, set the atmosphere for the program – a code of conduct that maintains decorum and insures safety.
As a police officer, you are perfectly suited to fill that role.
Many of the Junior Police Academy programs supervise the cadets as if they were actually in police academy training.
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Maintaining cadet enthusiasm.
the excitement level jumped up again. You could see pride building because when they arrive for class they are all wearing their shirts.”
Keeping your cadets interested and enthused about the program is vital to its success. Kids have a short attention span.
Officer Mitchell Garcia, Houston Police Department
In order to keep them coming back for more, your program must maintain a compelling mix of educational variety -- lessons, activities, field trips and video presentations.
Elect Academy President
Pace Your Academy
“Cadets voted one student to be the class president and they received a special certificate at graduation. Class president should be chosen half-way through the academy. The President had to attend all the meetings, never be late and have no disciplinary problems.”
“To keep it interesting we tried to maintain excitement in stages. The first night we gave them a tour of the academy with different live exhibits going on that evening. We put them in a patrol car on the driving track that goes 65 mph backwards, slams on the brakes, does a 180 degree turn and takes off in the other direction. Little things like that get the adrenalin pumping. A couple of weeks later they got their JPA t-shirts so
Officer Tim Roberts, Lawrenceville Police Department (GA)
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“KEEPING THE KIDS INTERESTED IS A CHALLENGE. ! ONE WAY TO KEEP THEIR INTEREST IS FOOD! !WE HAVE PIZZA EVERY OTHER CLASS.” O F F I C E R T O M L O N G , R E T I R E D, H E R K I M E R P O L I C E D E PA RT M E N T ( N Y )
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