Junior Sheriff’s Academy Gives Teens a Taste of Law Enforcement Careers

ASHEBORO (July 27, 2007)

Nearly 50 teenagers from Randolph County recently had the chance to explore their interests in law enforcement at the Junior Sheriff’s Academy held at Randolph Community College’s Emergency Services Training Center.

On July 25, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol helicopter landed at the ESTC as part of the second week of classes, with Patrol officers giving demonstrations and a classroom lecture. The Sheriff’s Office brought their motorcycles to the ESTC on July 26 for a demonstration for the teens.

The first week of classes held last month included an exercise in rappelling off RCC’s 65-foot rescue tower under the direction of RCC fire services coordinator Tommy McNeill.

The students also had the opportunity to observe the UNC-Chapel Hill campus police complete Taser and firing range training at the center.

The teens, ranging from ages 13-15, apply for the chance to attend the Academy through the School Resource Officers at their individual schools, according to Captain Bobbie McDowell of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, coordinating officer for the SROs.

McDowell noted that this year’s Academy is a change from the old-style military boot camp academy of the past. “Sheriff Maynard Reid is trying to encourage teens to consider law enforcement as a career,” said Captain McDowell. She said they base activities on the Basic Law Enforcement Training certificate curriculum, using different topics such as constitutional law, elements of criminal law, domestic violence, etc.

“This is a cooperative effort between the public schools, law enforcement, and Randolph Community College. We had enough applicants to hold two week-long sessions this year, and I think it will grow,” she said.