ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has a summer program that hopes to help police-community relations as departments across the country struggle to recruit new officers.
With splashes of color, Selena Sierra loves expressing herself.
"I’ve been painting since probably around third grade," Sierra said. "Everyone has a whole bunch of feelings about a whole bunch of things. And if you can express that in a way that’s healthy, it’ll make you feel better about just about anything."
When she has a vision, she wants to see it through.
"I like how I can make anything and turn anything, like an image that I may have in my head, into reality," Sierra said.
And as she goes into her senior year, the 17-year-old also has a vision for her future: law enforcement. Her father was sent to prison when she was young, an experience that shaped that vision.
"I’ve always been a protector for my siblings, for my mom," Sierra said. "With law enforcement, I can spread that protectiveness throughout the world."
And this summer she got a small taste with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Teen Academy.
"It’s definitely a change of environment to throw myself into something obviously I’ve never done, a lot of people haven’t done," Sierra said. "But it’s been really cool and I enjoy learning new stuff."
The program fits the police academy experience into a week, complete with physical training, a tour of the jail and classroom visits from other first responders. And best of all, it’s free.
"It’s been a wild ride. PT in the morning, bright and early at 8 a.m. It’s a lot of work, but then it prepares us for the rest of the day," Sierra said. "And we do a lot of stuff, get to see stuff a lot of people don’t get to see."
As departments across the country struggle to recruit, Deputy Sean Mayo says he hopes this program doesn’t just build interest, but also demystifies the profession.
"It’s a great opportunity to communicate with the community, and be very transparent for them to see what it is that’s entailed with this job. What we do, a good behind the scenes view of it," Mayo said.
Selena says there was lots to reflect on after the teen academy.
"I could be thinking I can’t do it, but my body and reality can," Sierra said. "And putting myself in a situation where I can pursue those dreams and goals that I’ve set for myself ever since I was little."
Her vision remains as clear as ever.
"It’s not about putting people in jail, or fighting them or putting them down," Sierra said. "It’s about bringing the people who deserve to be brought up, up. And supporting the people who do good in the world so the world can be good."