Junior Police Academy Guide

For the past 15 years, JPA has built a nationwide program based on a simple, yet powerful premise: “ The more young people understand about the functions of public safety, the more they become a powerful part of the solution!” Working together with law enforcers, educators and now parents via the internet, JPA has become a powerful voice in the development of our young citizens.

M ISS IO N ST ATEM E NT

I NSPI R I NG

YO UN G PEO PLE TO

GO O D CI TI Z ENSHI P THR O U GH AN AP PR ECI ATI O N O F THE R O LE O F LAW E NFO R CEMEN T IN

A MER I CA .

Our program is perhaps best defined by JPA Advisory Council Member Officer Mitchell Garcia of the Houston Police Department: "Young people do not understand what police officers do and why they do it. They don't understand the role of law enforcement in a community. But when we take the mystery out of law enforcement procedures and policies - A young PERSON’ S attitude toward police and their role in society is transformed." Through our nationwide network of law enforcement officers, educators and parents — Junior Police Academy will continue to inspire the young leaders of tomorrow for many years to come.

Contact Information 1114 West 7th Street, Suite 2 Austin Texas 78703 Office 512-476-0336 Consumer 866-JPA-KIDS or 866-572-5437 FAX 888-831-1042 Website JuniorPoliceAcademy.org Director: Kelly LeConte Over the past four years, JPA Director Kelly LeConte has meet the demands of JPA’ s rapid growth, as well as the development of new educational programming. She brings 20 years of advertising, marketing and graphic design experience to our organization. Kelly is the daughter of JPA’ s cofounder, Robert LeConte.

N ATIO N AL AD VI SOR Y COU NCIL

The Junior Police Academy enjoys the participation and guidance of a talented National Advisory Council – each with years of law enforcement experience and a commitment to education for young people.

“ Together they talk, they laugh and they get a chance to learn from one another. JPA allows officers and students to see each other as people rather than enemies.” Chief Patrick Fuller, Austin Independent School District Police Department,Texas

“ The JPA Program bridges the tremendous gap between today's youth and law enforcement officers. One of my cadets that I would have least expected it from had this remark to make after spending the day with the recruits: ‘ I have never seen human beings with that much discipline and pride in my entire life’ . I couldn’ t believe he told me that. JPA is the reason.”

“ The kids that have graduated from the JPA have a deep devoted sense o f re s p o n s ib i l ity . T h e y a re community oriented. They are children who as they becom e adults want to make a difference.” Officer Mitchell Garcia Houston Police Academy, Texas

“ Field trips are a big part of our JPA Program. Let them visit and hear from the FBI to the DEA . I have been impressed with the agencies being impressed with the JPA. The agencies are willing to do anything for the kids because they are looking for good citizens.” Captain Tom Long (retired) Herkimer Police Department, NY

Chief Thomas Clemons Seward Police Department, Alaska

“ I have many graduates who are now police officers. I’ ve had several students who have gone through the program and have come back and said if it wasn't for your program I would not have gotte n through th e p olice academy.”

Officer Suzanne D’ Ambrose, Law Enforcement Instructor, Monmouth County Voc-Tech School, New Jersey

Top to bottom: Chief Patrick Fuller, Austin Independent School District Police Department,Texas Chief Tom Clemmons, Seward, AK, Officer Suzanne D’ Ambrose, Monmouth Cty. Voc Tech, School, NJ, Officer John Clapp, White Settlement, TX,

“ Our job as police officers is to show the students that there is a better way and we provide the resource to do that. We want them to achieve their goals and through the JPA we can do that.”

"The kids take home an incredible m e m o ry t h a t w il l a l w a y s b e associated with the field of law enforcement. W e get a chance to really build relationships with these k id s in a n o n - co n fro n ta tio n a l setting.” Officers James Adams Hanford Police Department, California

” The friendships that are created during JPA are phenomenal. It is very comm on to be walking on campus and have high school students just come up to you and start talking. To m e, JPA is community oriented policing at its finest.” Officer Mark Dillon Hanford Police Department, California

Officer John Clapp White Settlement Police Department, Texas

“ The JPA program brought the stud en ts tog eth er with la w enforcement, not only as mentors, but a true camaraderie. Before, the kids wouldn't look at you and say hi. Now they com e up to you and say hi, how are you doing. It is an entirely different level than we have witnessed before.” Deputy Cory Hughston Victoria County Sheriff’ s Department, Texas

Top to bottom: Officer Mitch Garcia, Houston Police Academy, TX, Captain Tom Long, Herkimer PD, NY, Officer James Adams, Hanford, PD, CA, Officer Mark Dillon, Hanford PD, CA, Deputy Cory Hughston, Victoria County Sheriff’ s Office, TX

” Connecting with Kids”Program Kit . This extensive collection contains all the educational resources you will need to bring the Junior Police Academy to your community.

W ORK BOOK

IN CL UD ES :

H O W TO G ET S TAR T ED A 4 Step plan to starting a JPA Program in your community.

“ C O NNECTI N G

WI TH

K I DS ”L ESSO NS

Twenty lessons designed to change the way young people perceive law enforcement in America! From SRO’ s to FBI Agents, your students will discover the vital role law enforcement plays in securing the safety of all our citizens.

CD R OM I N C LU DE S : J PA: T HE M O VI E An inspirational and lively multi-media presentation, taking viewers on a nationwide tour of JPA’ s impact on young people and law enforcers. J PA L EADER SHI P G UI DE I N TER AC TI VE This interactive resource includes program overviews, a guide to launching the program, and insightful advice from law enforcers who have pioneered JPA across the country! SAFE H ARBOR I NTER ACTI VE P R O GR AM “ C O NNECTI N G WI TH K I DS ” L ESSO NS V ER SI O N ) A full semester course for those who wish to offer JPA as an elective course in middle schools or high schools. C ADET H AN DBO O K Provides cadets an easy to follow overview of each lesson. (In easy to print PDF format.)

A ND

T E ACHER ’ S G UI DE

(E XTEN DE D

A Nationwide Public Awareness Campaign from the Junior Police Academy Our most ambitious project to date, SAFE HARBOR is a nationwide public awareness campaign urging parents to make sure young people hear as much about the public safety professionals who protect them as they do about the dangers that threaten them. “ Safe Harbor” maintains that an effective approach can be found at the core of the Junior Police Academy’ s philosophy: “ Be pro-active!” says Officer John Clapp, White Settlement Police Department (TX) and JPA Advisory Council Member. “ When you tell young people who we are and of America’ s enormous public safety capabilities, you instill self-confidence. As a law enforcer, I believe that quality will best serve our young citizens in the event of an emergency.” The

nationwide

campaign

includes a range of media initiatives, including posters, brochures, press releases and “ Safe Harbor Online”where parents can guide young people through the animated seaside community of “ Safe Harbor.” Through an assortment of virtual settings, “ Safe Harbor” offers young citizens a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the wide range of public safety efforts that keep America safe.

Today’ s School Resource Officer (SRO) is a unique component of our education system, serving many roles inside our schools. At different times, they are called upon to be law enforcers, mentors and friends. Recognizing this changing and important role in society, “ Classroom Success for the School Resource Officer”is a new educational resource from the Junior Police Academy designed specifically for School Resource Officers (SRO). This new course is offered on the JPA web site, juniorpolicecademy.org and this fall will be available through OnlinePoliceAcademy.org Written by Officer Suzannne D’ Ambrose, formerly with the Belmar Police Department (NJ) and a gifted law enforcement instructor for the Monmouth County VocTech School, the course is a comprehensive training program for members of law enforcement agencies interested in working with young people. “ Basically, it’ s a method of instruction,” explains D’ Ambrose. “ In short, the course teaches police officers how to teach. Teaching is completely different than being a police officer. In police work, you are involved in one on one or one on two situations, correcting behavior. Teaching is a whole different ballgame. You are trying to get across information and you want your audience to be excited about it.”