BY KADIE VICK
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT — The Lanett Police Department concluded its Junior Police Academy in June and connected local children, ages five to 15, to law enforcement.
“Our Junior Police Camp is a week-long program each summer that gives children the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the Lanett Police Department,” said Lanett Police Chief Denise McCain.
McCain said the police academy provides a variety of experiences for participants to develop character and have fun.
“This academy is made up of three major activities to include physical agility, character building and police demonstrations, which provide an opportunity for mentorship,” she said. “We also include art and crafts as well as team sports activities.”
Through the Lanett Junior Police Academy, local children are connected to law enforcement in the community and given a tour of the jail.
“This year, the children toured every city department and had the opportunity to meet Judge Brown and Judge Whorton while touring the LaFayette Courthouse. We cannot leave out the tour of our jail by Sheriff Nelson,” McCain said.
W. O. Lance, School Resource Officer Terry (TJ) Wood, said he enjoys connecting local children with community heroes.
“When they meet these people and they can see firsthand what these city officials and law enforcement do, the children are able to see and understand that even though these workers don’t wear a cape, they’re local heroes that take care of our community in every way that they can,” he said.
The Lanett Police Academy is free for local children due to donations from local businesses and organizations.
“I take pride in being the only Jr. Police Academy that does not charge a fee for children to attend,” McCain said. “The success of the program is due to our mayor, officials, local churches, businesses and parents who provided meals, bouncy houses and snacks.”
Wood said many of the first responders in the community were inspired as children to pursue their careers and enjoy giving back and sharing their passion with the younger generation.
For most of the people who work as first responders, this is not just their job; this is their passion,” he said. “If you talk to them, most are going to tell you they are passionate for the youth, because at one time in their life they looked up to a police officer, firefighter, judge or someone else that made them have the passion to be a servant in the community, just like the good Lord calls us to be a servant.”
Through investing in the local youth through programs such as the Junior Police Academy, Wood said he has seen participants grow up to work in law enforcement or as first responders.
“In my career, I have seen youth who are involved in youth programs, like this one, grow up to become firefighters, police officers and deputy sheriffs,” Wood said. “They are serving where they were served. I hope that my investing in the youth in this community teaches them to go out and serve.”
For parents interested in signing their children up for the Lanett Junior Police Academy, dates are announced in the spring and information can be found on Facebook.
