The Danville Police Department wishes to congratulate thirty-seven youth cadets who graduated today from the third annual youth police academy.
These young people participated in character development, physical fitness and scenario-based training over the course of the last three weeks. Most importantly, the program offers the youth and police an opportunity to build relationships and gain perspective from one another.
The youth police academy would not be possible without community support. Several speakers shared their time, and in some cases their personal stories and experiences. The George Washington High School NJROTC taught the cadets team building and drill exercises and Danville Public Schools provided food and facilities. Many members of the community made generous donations of food, supplies and funds to make the event possible.
The youth academy is designed to build character more than just three weeks in one summer. This academy class also had twelve youth leaders who had been cadets once themselves in previous years academies. The youth leaders were expected to act as role-models for the cadets and help with a variety of tasks to support the academy staff.
This program continues to be one of the department’s most successful and fulfilling community engagement efforts. We will be posting in early 2022 about next year’s youth police academy applications and dates.