Dunwoody Police Department offering free teen police academy summer program

DUNWOODY, Ga. (CBS46) - The Dunwoody Police Department is offering a free, five-day program for teens this summer that will give them an inside look at local law enforcement operations and challenges.

Officers say the goal is to develop positive relationships between police and youth and spur interest in careers in law enforcement. Teens will also learn ways to protect themselves online and in person, including active shooter response training.

“We give them the exact same curriculum that we would give their parents; we don’t sugarcoat any of it,” said Sgt. Michael Cheek.

The active shooter response part of the class is especially timely given the recent school shooting in Texas.

“The three basic principles of active shooter are avoid, deny and defend. The biggest thing you want to do in an active shooter is avoid them if you can, if you can’t avoid them, deny them entry to you and if you unfortunately just cannot do either one of those two then, yes, defend yourself against them if you have to,” said Cheek.

“We want to give people the tools that they need to potentially help save their life or somebody else’s life,” he said.

The program will run July 11-15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and activities will include the following:

• Tour of police department
• Police equipment demo
• Tour of GBI Headquarters
• Narcotics presentation
• K9 presentation
• Use of force
• Firearms safety/simulator
• Criminal investigation division
• Rollover simulator
• Seat belt convincer
• Gang activity
• Accident reconstruction demo
• Crime scene unit
• Teen risky behavior
• Tour of county jail
• SWAT Team presentation
• Tour of 911 center
• Civilian response to active shooter events
• First aid
• CPR/AED training
• Situation awareness
• Traffic stop presentation/scenarios

The class is limited to 15 participants ages 14-18 and Dunwoody residents will have first priority in the acceptance process, but it is open to teens from other areas. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

For more information or to request an application, email Sgt. Anwar Sillah at anwar.sillah@dunwoodyga.gov or click here.

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