Clayton Police Department celebrates Teen Academy graduates

Submitted by Town of Clayton

CLAYTON — The Clayton Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of its 2024 Teen Academy class, where young recruits traded in their summer plans for a badge of honor.

In July, 16 local students ages 13-18, received an introduction to the inner workings of law enforcement.

“I wanted to learn a lot about the judicial system, learn what police do,” said Diego Cruz, 15. “I was also trying to learn some things about EMS because recently my sister graduated for nursing and EMS, so I wanted to learn a little bit about what she does.”

Cruz, a sophomore at Clayton High School, plans to apply what he learned at the 2024 Teen Academy and pursue a potential career in cybersecurity. He and his fellow students were immersed in various aspects of law enforcement, including:

• Role playing scenarios, such as conducting traffic stops and communicating as 911 dispatchers

• K9 unit demonstrations

• Physical agility tests (timed runs, push ups, and sit ups)

• Crime scene and evidence collection

• In addition, students took a field trip to the Johnston County Courthouse, Johnston County Detention Center and Johnston County 911 Communications Center.

A K9 demonstration was a part of the Clayton Police Department Teen Academy, held in July.

“I’ve seen some young and intelligent kids come out of their shells,” said 2024 Teen Academy Organizer and Clayton Police Officer Randolph Baity. “On their first day, they were very apprehensive, very shy and timid. By day three, after going through some of our scenarios, presentations and activities that we have, they were fully engaged and interacting. ‘Pick me, pick me!’ Really participating.”

The program aims to promote responsible citizenship among young people, foster positive interactions between youth and police officers, educate them about the challenges and responsibilities of police work and inspire young people to take an active role in their community.

“It’s been good to see them interact with us because they get to see us in a different light,” said Clayton Police Sergeant Isaiah Ruffin. “Typically, when they see us out on the street, they’re a little more standoffish. Being able to interact with them on this level, it brings a little bit more normality. It lets them see that we are in fact human like they are. We are very approachable. We talk. We converse. We laugh. We joke. We’re all the same human beings, regardless of whether we wear a uniform or not.”

Kathren Massey, 17, enjoyed building rapport with officers from the Clayton Police Department.

“I’ve always had a love of law enforcement,” she said. “It’s just how I was raised. I’ve always wanted to do this — ever since I was a little kid. I grew up on ‘Live PD.’ My dad and I would sit and watch it for hours, so I’ve always had a deep respect for law enforcement.”

Massey, a senior at Clayton High School, hopes to get into Basic Law Enforcement Training at Johnston Community College and return to the Clayton Police Department as an employee.

“Thank you to the Clayton Police Department for allowing us to come here and experience this,” she said. “It has given me a dream that I’m going to try my best to achieve in the future.”