Summer Police Academy

This summer Gabe was able to participate in a summer training program with a local police department.  For a week he was exposed to the many different roles within the police department, getting a first hand introduction to the jobs, responsibilities and tasks that each person within the police department are charged with.

Gabe has been interested in police work for a few years, even as a little boy he pretended to be a police man and arrest the bad guys.  This program was a great way for him to see exactly what a career in police work entails.  

At first he wasn't sure about it, before the first day he asked me what it was all going to be about and why it was all day.  However that first evening after the program, it was clearly he was hooked. He got to learn about the SWAT team, the forensics unit, the bicycle team, patrol units, detective work, the undercover unit, even the gang unit.  Oh and how could I forget the K9 group.  

At the end of the week they invited the trainee's families to come and hear from the chief about what they had learned as well as watch a summary video that showed highlights from the week.  Here are a few photos from the program we got to attend.

It was clear Gabe was interested, he sat in the very front row each day and from what I could tell from the recap video, asked a ton of questions.  Sitting in the front alone tells me he was soaking up all he could.

The Chief of police went around and asked each student what they were most interested in learning when the program began and then what they had learned and found most interesting.  Gabe talked about the requirements to become a police officer and how competitive it is, and how the gang units have to know so much.

At the end they took a picture of the crew that got to complete the week's training.

 I'm so glad he was able to be exposed to such a high quality program.  He learned so much, gained some exceptional career insight and was able to challenge himself through some of the obstacles they put them through.

Hopefully next summer Michael can try to enroll in the same program.  He was very interested in all Gabriel learned and asked even more questions.  Hopefully next year.

Oh and the girls liked it too, especially the statues outside the station. They talked to them like they were real!

Gabriel proudly displaying his certification of completion.  Who knows maybe some day he will be a police officer!

Until next time,

Angie