BARTLETT, Tenn. — During the second week of June some kids in Bartlett got the chance to learn what it’s like to be a police officer.
It’s called the Citizens Youth Academy, a one week program offering hands-on experience.
They got to learn everything from crime scene investigations to how to handle firearms.
On Tuesday the students even got some important life lessons behind the wheel.
Early that morning 16 potential officers in training, ages 13 to 17-years-old, took to the course of cones to test their skills.
“A little bit to the right just a little,” said one of the volunteers to a students as he made his way around the course in a golf cart.
It wasn’t always pretty, as many of kids plowed through the cones.
But to be fair, the drivers had more than their age working against them.
The kids wore “beer” goggles, that affected their depth perception, to see what it’s like to be drunk behind the wheel.
“When I was driving everything was so blurred out. I didn’t know where I was going,” said student Gabby Conn.
The activity, was more than fun, it provided crucial life lessons.
“It’s important so you don’t do it and hurt someone or kill someone while driving drunk,” explained fellow camper Abbi Wilson.
Students also gave each other field sobriety tests and listened to presentations from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
On Monday they watched K9 demonstrations, which for 13-year-old Conn could be a glimpse into into the future.
“Hopefully I can be one of those K9 people,” she explained.
For the rest of the week, WREG was told they’ll learn about investigating crime scenes, practice their aim at a shooting range, and even make traffic stops with the officers being the violators.
“Sometimes the officers will be nice and hand them their license, and sometimes they won’t be nice. Sometimes they’ll run,” explained Lt. Todd Halford with a smile.
Halford has been hosting the event for several years.
His department also puts on a Citizens Academy for adults.
Halford said the ultimate goal is to show the public and police can work well together starting with the kids.
“All too often we hear about young people coming into contact with officers in a negative light and this is a spin on that. Let’s get out there, let’s have some contact with them. Let’s let them know we’re people too,” he said.
The week-long class is free.
You can apply anytime but it’s always held either the second or first week of June.
The class runs on a first come, first serve basis.