VESTAL, N.Y. - More than 20 Vestal High School students are gaining firsthand knowledge from area law enforcement as part of the 4th annual Youth Police Academy. The two-week program teaches students about drug prevention, crime scene investigation and physical training.
Vestal police sergeants remember the first moment they realized a change needed to be made in their schools.
"I walked into one of the elementary schools and one of the kids was like 'ah, theres a policeman,' and it kind of struck me that maybe we're not doing the right thing as far as making kids comfortable in talking to us," said Sgt. Stace Kintner, Vestal Police Department.
That year, Kintner decided to create a youth police academy, hoping to create better communication between students and law enforcement. He also hopes the class will benefit anyone hoping to pursue a career in criminal justice.
"It's great because they have so many stories they can convey to us and then we can learn from that and take away knowledge and everything," said Alicia Casson, Vestal senior.
Within each class, members of the department aim to inform students on exactly what it takes to enter into such a challenging field.
"You've got to know what you're getting into. You have to do it for the right reasons. If you want to get into this line of work, it should be because you want to make the world a better place," said Detective Sgt. Christopher Streno, Vestal Police Department.
The class focuses on crime scene investigation, drug prevention, and physical training
Kitner says since he created the program four years ago, his number one goal has always been building great relationships with his students.
"A police department is only as good as the community it serves. We tell that to our public. We tell that to our students. We are only going to be successful doing what we do if they are comfortable talking to us and telling us what is going on in the community," said Kintner.