Iowa City Police Department to offer youth academy

For years, adults in Johnson County have been granted an inside look at area law enforcement through the Citizen's Police Academy.

Later this summer, Iowa City teens will get their turn.

The Iowa City Police Department is accepting applications for the Youth Police Academy. The academy is open to teenagers ages 14 to 17 and will take place Aug. 4 to 8.

As is the case with its adult counterpart, the youth academy will give teens a glimpse into the inner workings of the Iowa City Police Department. Participants will learn about topics such as investigations, officer selection and K9 units, meet specialized teams such as the department's Special Response Team and take a tour of the Johnson County Jail.

'We're trying to reach out to youth in the community,” said R.A. Mebus, the department's Crime Prevention Officer. 'They may have a question about how the police department works or just a curiosity.”

Mebus said any teenager is encouraged to apply for the free academy, not just those who might have an interest in a law enforcement career.

The first day of the academy will take place at City Hall, but the remaining days will start off at the Iowa City Police Department's Substation off Highway 6. While the Iowa City Police Department is the sole sponsor of the academy, Mebus said other area departments are lending a hand. Field trips will take participants to the Johnson County Jail, as well as the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety's headquarters to check out the department's MILO shooting simulator.

'We'll go there and talk about firearm safety and things like that,” Mebus said.

Iowa City police Capt. Doug Hart said the youth academy is the latest in a long line of efforts at the department to strengthen ties with the community. Hart said the youth academy could eventually led to a cadet program at the department.

'It's going to be an opportunity for youth ... to assist us in areas we might need assistance,” Hart said.

Regardless of what the academy leads to, Mebus said he sees it as an opportunity for building relationships with the city's youth.

'We're no different from anybody else; we just have a different job description,” Mebus said. 'If some of the kids that attend this can see that, I look at that as a positive.”

The academy will be limited to 20 participants who will be selected by July 7. Applicants must turn in an application and parental consent-media waiver, which can be found at the police department's front desk at City Hall or by visiting the police department's website at icgov.org. The application can be found at the Youth Police Academy link under the Crime Prevention tab.

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