LOWELL — Lowell Police Department Superintendent Raymond Kelly Richardson and Lowell Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joel Boyd are pleased to announce a new partnership that gives Lowell’s middle school students opportunities to attend an informative and age-appropriate Student Police Academy after school.
The collaborative effort, launched last year, provides students in Grades 5-8 at Lowell Public Schools an opportunity to learn about first aid and CPR, recognizing and preventing bullying, Internet Safety, responsibility, leadership, and more, all within an overall framework that promotes health and wellness.
The eight weekly sessions are held on Friday afternoons after school. Lowell Police Department School Resource Officer Mindy Dower and School Resource Officer Jose Santiago each lead an academy, getting to know students, forming relationships, and sharing lessons on gang, drug and alcohol awareness. There are also presentations that include police K-9s, and even a visit from fellow first responders from the Lowell Fire Department.
“The activities and lessons at our Middle School Police Academy are designed to help students develop self-esteem, self-confidence, leadership skills, and the ability to work as part of a team, all while also building students’ knowledge and forming relationships,” said Deputy Superintendent Barry Golner. “I want to thank the Lowell Public Schools for being such a great partner in this endeavor, and all of the officers and community members who have supported this effort.”
The first two academies were held in the fall at the Robinson Middle School and the Stoklosa Middle School, with more than 20 students attending each. Students from the Bartlett Middle School were invited to participate in the academy at the Stoklosa as well.
On Friday, Jan. 21, two more academies began at the Sullivan Middle School and Butler Middle School, with more than 25 students signed up for each.
Additional academies are planned for the Wang Middle School and Daley Middle School later in the Spring.
“Those of us at the Lowell Police Department want to be a part of our community and a resource to residents young and old, but we can’t do that by just sitting back, enforcing the law, and seeking out interactions with our youth only when trouble arises,” said Superintendent Richardson. “We believe that the earlier we are able to form healthy and respectful relationships with young people, the more young Lowell residents will build a comfort level with police officers, an understanding of what we do, and an awareness of the issues that face our youth in today’s environment.”
The expanded partnership between police and the school department began last summer, when Lowell Public Schools provided tutors and teachers to enable Lowell Police to expand on a three-week Student Police Academy that has been run during the summer in Lowell for 22 years. Superintendent Richardson and Lowell Public Schools officials at the Student Police Academy graduation had a conversation about how such opportunities could be provided throughout the school year, leading to the partnership expanding to include the eight-week after school academies.
“The Student Police Academy program provides an excellent learning and character-building opportunity for our students that also serves to build lasting relationships between them and our local police officers,” said Superintendent Boyd. “We are fortunate to have such a strong partnership with the Lowell Police Department. The lessons learned in this program will help make our young people better leaders and members of the community.”
To register for an upcoming Middle School Police Academy, click here.
The middle school police academies are an initiative of the Lowell Police Department Youth Services Program. These academies would not be possible without the coordination and efforts of Lowell Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Robin Desmond and Carolyn Rocheleau, the Coordinator of Special Programs at Lowell Public Schools.
About the Lowell Police Youth Services Program
The Lowell Police Youth Services Program seeks to create opportunities for all city youth to participate in free after school activities, athletics, and other ventures that emphasize health and wellness, while also experiencing positive interactions with police officers. The Lowell Police Youth Services Program is open to partnering with all community stakeholders. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for additional programming involving boxing, wrestling, swimming and ultimate frisbee. For more information on the Lowell Police Youth Services Program, email: LPDYouthServices@lowellma.gov.