Edmonton youth experience police force

It was pushups rather than playstation for 40 high school students from across Edmonton, as they learned what it takes to be a police officer in the fifth annual Youth Recruit Academy.

The four-day event is catered to youth interested in a career in the police force, showing them what it takes to be a police officer both physically and mentally. Recruits had the opportunity to visit police headquarters, learn about tactical equipment and volunteer throughout the community on top of daily physical training.

They come in sometimes hesitant, sometimes scared and sometimes they get a little bit afraid of PT(physical training). But then with us pushing them and encouraging them to go past that wall, they really kind of start to see what they can do.

Constable Karyn Chikhachecva, Edmonton Police Service

Mohammed Ayaanhussain, a Grade 12 student, says the relationships he has built during his short time at the academy make the week even more memorable.

“With the experiences I’ve had with the constables and my squads, it’s probably one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. I’ve known people at my high school for three years. But with these people, I’ve known them for four days and I’ve felt like I got closer to them them some of the kids at my high school.”

The academy was originally started in 2016 with 30 recruits in a small trailer, and has now expanded to having nearly 200 applicants each year. The final day of the academy saw recruits receive a graduation certificate from chief of police Dale McFee.

---

Comments