Junior Police Academy marks milestone with one thousandth student

The Dallas Junior Police Academy (JPA) recently graduated their 20th Class and 1000th student. The partnership between the Doug Woodham Dallas Junior Police Academy and the Dallas Police Department (DPD) is an opportunity for students to see how DPD operates and observe some of the more exciting aspects of police work.

The JPA basic class, for fourth through seventh graders consists of a daylong Saturday training session, while an advanced class is available for eighth through tenth graders. Essential life skills are stressed in each session, with students challenged to make good decisions and choices. Active and reserve DPD officers join citizen volunteers in running the classes.

In addition to hands-on time with SWAT, K-9, Motorcycle, Low-rider, Helicopter and SCUBA, students get to ride in a squad car with lights and siren, learn about evidence processing, process their own fingerprints and participate in physical training. The advanced class also learns about internet dangers and physical safety and tours the 911 Emergency Communications Division and the Fusion Center.

For more information about the Dallas Junior Police Academy visit www.dallaspolice.net or http://www.dallasjpa.org/.