- Officer Michael Hudson teaches kids about bicycle patrol during the Youth Police Academy Thurs., June 20 at the Sparkman Civic Center. | Joy Harris
Joy Harris
Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle Police Department hosted its third annual Youth Police Academy Thursday at Sparkman Civic Center.
The academy taught children ages 6 to 12 about the duties and equipment of police officers. Kids got to simulate a police training obstacle course, learn about stranger safety, see police firearms, Taser guns, SWAT gear and more.
Officer Chad Guest set up cones and obstacles for the kids to maneuver such as a weighted wagon to pull, a “fence” to climb, a “bad guy” to disarm, a target to “shoot” at, a “window” to crawl through, and a victim to rescue. Each child was timed to see how fast he or she could complete the course.
Officer Michael Hudson showed kids the uniforms and everyday equipment of police officers. He also taught about bike patrol and officer training. Lt. James Holloway demonstrated crime scene investigation. Children were able to lift their fingerprint off a mirror using fingerprint dust and tape. Officer Hudson taught handcuffing techniques the kids then got to practice on adult helpers.
Sgt. Randy Adams taught kids about special police equipment such as SWAT gear and firearms. He had a sniper rifle, police shotgun and Taser gun the kids could look at. Sgt. Adams also taught about stranger safety and the duties of a police officer.
A simulated traffic stop was set up in front of the civic center.
Each participant received a Hartselle Youth Police Academy T-shirt.
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Blaze Kizale, 8, pulls a dummy through an obstacle course at the Youth Police Academy Thursday afternoon at the Sparkman Civic Center. | Joy Harris
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Gavin Bishop pulls a weighted cart in an obstacle course at the Youth Police Academy Thurs., June 20. | Joy Harris
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Huntley Segars, 8, uses a fake baton to disarm a “bad guy” during an obstacle course at the Youth Police Academy Thursday. | Joy Harris
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Gibson Nickelbaker, 6, simulates crawling through a window during an obstacle at the Youth Police Academy Thursday at the Sparkman Civic Center. | Joy Harris
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Lt. James Holladay dusts for fingerprints during an investigation demonstration at the Youth Police Academy Thursday. Jeremiah Alexander and Cara Jewwllson look on. | Joy Harris
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Youth Police Academy attendees listen as Officer Michael Hudson tells about the uniforms and equipment of police officers. | Joy Harris
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Sgt. Randy Adams teaches kids about the role of a police officer and safety around strangers during the Youth Police Academy Thurs., June 20 at the Sparkman Civic Center. | Joy Harris
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Officer Chad Guest (left) and Officer Gary Branham (right) explain the obstacle course to Thursday’s Youth Police Academy attendees. | Joy Harris
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Two boys dress in SWAT gear during the Youth Police Academy at Sparkman Civic Center Thurs., June 20. | Joy Harris
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Shayne Suits, 9, handcuffs Jamison Maxwell while Officer Michael Hudson looks on during the Youth Police Academy Thursday at the Sparkman Civic Center. | Joy Harris
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Officer Michael Hudson shows kids police officer uniforms and equipment during the Youth Police Academy Thurs., June 20. | Joy Harris