NHS Student Police Academy Explains Law Enforcement

The Newtown Police Department has started its informational program known as Student Police Academy at Newtown High School, explaining to a group of students there the workings of local law enforcement in relation to the criminal justice system.

Officer Jason Flynn, who is the school resource officer assigned to the high school, is the coordinator of the program.

The Student Police Academy is a parallel program to Citizen Police Academy, which is a free informational program on law enforcement which the police department sponsors for the general public. The department is now accepting applications for Citizen Police Academy, which starts in late March.

Through classroom sessions and practical instruction, students participating in Student Police Academy will learn what it is like to be a police officer, according to Officer Flynn.

Students in the course will learn about many areas of law enforcement and gain a better understanding of police training, plus the role of police, Officer Flynn said.

Students will have the opportunity to ride along with a police patrol officer for four hours to provide them with get a direct sense of police patrol work.

Classes are held once weekly. The program, which started on February 4, will continue through April 8.

At the initial session, the police chief and police captain introduced the students to the course. Students also received a tour of the police station at the emergency dispatch center at 3 Main Street.

At most sessions, town police officers will be the instructors.

Course subject matter is scheduled to include: becoming a police officer, motor vehicle law, police weaponry, use of force, crime scene investigation, DUI enforcement, drug enforcement, motor vehicle accident reconstruction, and police dog usage.

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for April 8.