JPD’s Youth Police Academy aims to help build positive relationships

JACKSON, Tenn. — Local law enforcement are aiming to change how some may view the police by starting with the youth.

“If I know more about the people who are protecting our city, I would feel more safe,” said Aaron Jones, young scholar of the Youth Police Academy.

‘Safety, Trust and Guidance.’ Those are the building blocks of the Youth Police Academy that the Jackson Police Department is hosting for the second year in a row.

Young people from the Boys and Girls Club visited with JPD on Tuesday for a two-day workshop, designed to create positive relationships between law enforcement and the youth.

“Today, we started off introducing them to the chief of police–with Chief Tom Corley. We followed that up with them meeting deputy chiefs, and the captains and some of the lieutenants as well,” said Sgt. Curtis Cozart, community engagement officer.

Tuesday, they learned about the duties and ranks of officers in the department.

“You could be a deputy, a chief, or a deputy chief or a sergeant or a lieutenant,” said Jones.

They were also shown a variety of different components and entities within the police department.

“Records, the camera room for the cameras within the City of Jackson. Then we went into showing them the inside of a police vehicle. Then we went into showing them how the K-9 officers do their job,” said Cozart.

The children also saw how the animals are useful when tracking down suspects or escaped convicts.

“Our main goal here is to reach out to the youth and show some type of positive reinforcement to our community,” said Cozart.

Tuesday’s agenda wrapped up in the aviation unit.

Wednesday, the participants will learn about defense tactics, and hear from the gang unit and SWAT team.

Any organization can reach out to JPD to request law enforcement to come out and speak to the youth about trusting the police and provide guidance on healthy life decisions.

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