Children Ages 10-14 Are Invited to Apply
DIGHTON – Chief Robert MacDonald is pleased to announce that the Dighton Police Department will host its first-ever Dighton Youth Police Academy this summer.
The Dighton Police Department is seeking young candidates between the ages of 10 and 14 interested in law enforcement to be placed in a Police Academy setting. As part of the academy, attendees will:
- Learn more about criminal law
- Participate in the academy’s physical fitness tests
- Undergo hands-on physical training
- Engage in daily police activities with a focus on community engagement
Accepted candidates will be held to the highest standard and will follow a rigid code of conduct with a focal point on respect, integrity and accountability. Applicants who are chosen must be present for all session days and have arranged transportation to and from the academy.
“We are extremely excited to offer a youth police academy to our community members for the first time,” Chief MacDonald said. “Now more than ever, it is imperative that we are preparing those interested in a future in law enforcement for their careers. Through these academy sessions, we aim to teach cadets about many aspects of the law enforcement field while having a fun time throughout the process.”
This summer, Dighton Police will conduct two Dighton Youth Police Academy sessions.
- The exploratory campaign will begin on Monday, July 11, and run Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily until Friday, July 22.
- A second academy will begin on Monday, Aug. 1, and run Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily until Friday, Aug. 12.
Each two-week session will carry a $125 tuition fee. Funds from the fee will be used for the purchase of academy shirts and academy hats and will supplement the costs of the graduation ceremony. Tuition assistance may be available upon request.
Those wishing to attend must submit an application to the department by Wednesday, June 15. Applications can be accessed here.
Those who apply will be subjected to a background check including any academic discipline, attendance and academic review. This background check may include, but is not limited to, interviews with family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, and other school faculty. This process will mirror the similar process police academy recruits undergo.
Once all interviews and background checks are completed, candidates along with their parents/guardians will be invited to a question-and-answer night at the Dighton Police Station.
Preference will be given to Dighton residents and, if needed, all other applications will be reviewed on a residence/proximity basis.
For more information please contact one of the following: Patrolman Steven Ferreira at
Sferreira@Dighton-ma.gov, Patrolman Nicholas Barros at Nbarros@Dighton-ma.gov, or
School Resource Officer Stephen Hathaway at Shathaway@Dighton-ma.gov.
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