Youth Academy
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a police officer? The Redwood City Police Department's Youth Academy gives young people in our community a firsthand look at police work and what it takes to serve and protect.
The Youth Academy covers much of the same ground as the Department's Community Police Academy for adults, condensed into a week-long summer format. Held Monday through Thursday for one week each summer, the program is designed to give participants an inside look at how a police department operates. It's an outreach effort created by RCPD to improve understanding and build stronger connections with the youth in our community.
Academy Agenda
The Youth Academy covers topics similar to those taught to police recruits in a real academy, taught by veteran officers and other experts. Topics include:
- Criminal law
- Narcotics
- Evidence and forensics
- Police hiring procedures
- RCPD jail tour
- K-9 demonstration
- Decision-making scenarios (where you are the cop)
- And much more
This is a hands-on program, which also includes live scenarios and defensive tactics.
By the end of the Academy, participants gain a clearer understanding of what the community can expect from their police department, and the opportunity to share that knowledge with others.
Requirements
- Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 16
- Applicants must be available for all sessions, held Monday through Thursday for one week during the summer
- Applications must be submitted to the Redwood City Police Department
- Participants are selected from submitted applications
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit a completed application to the Redwood City Police Department. Space is limited, and participants will be selected from the applications received.
Contact
For more information, please reach out via the Contact Us page. For your convivence, the Youth Academy Application is posted below.
