The Town of Amherst Police Department’s Youth Police Academy is an internship program for high school students considering a law enforcement career at the local, county, state or federal level. In addition, this program meets the minimum requirements of the NYS Education Department’s Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP), allowing participating students to receive high school credit toward graduation upon successfully completing the academy. To receive credit toward graduation, the student’s Internship Coordinator must approve the internship prior to the student entering the academy.
Although the primary purpose of the academy is to acquaint the students with the various functions of the Town of Amherst Police Department, the students will also discover the minimum qualifications, training requirements and daily responsibilities of other county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies through guest speakers and tours of their facilities. Students will view actual pictures and video of crime and accident scenes, have the opportunity to take the actual physical fitness test required for police officers, can be exposed to O.C. spray (pepper spray), and will take part in the Firearms Training. In addition to the regularly scheduled sessions, students will ride with an officer for a tour of duty and will participate in a courtroom observation.
The 3-week academy is held Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (noon) beginning the first Monday after July 4th at Town of Amherst Police Headquarters, 500 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, N.Y. A graduation ceremony is held on Thursday during the final week at 7:00 PM at Amherst Police Headquarters. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
This program is open to high school students residing in or attending a school in Amherst or Criminal Justice Students from Erie 1 B.O.C.E.S.. Parental consent is required for students to participate in the academy. All applicants must successfully complete a background investigation and interview. Applications and consent forms must be printed from this website. Please direct any questions or concerns to Officer Cathy Onions at 716.689.1387. Completed applications and consent forms must be submitted to the student’s School Internship Coordinator or to Officer Cathy Onions at the Town Amherst Police Department, 500 John James Audubon Pkwy. Amherst, NY 14228 by May 1st.
Rules and Regulations
- Students, whether attending the academy or during off-training times, will not engage in conduct unbecoming a member of the academy.
- Professional demeanor will be maintained at all times.
- Students are expected to attend all classes. Only an absence for a legal excuse will be permitted. Unauthorized absences or legal absences exceeding 2 days will result in dismissal from the academy. In the event of a legal absence, the police department Internship Coordinator must be notified of the absence by 9:00 AM of that day.
- Tardiness will not be tolerated.
- A student who is more than 15 minutes late will be considered absent. A student who is less than 15 minutes late on 3 occasions will be dismissed from the program.
- Clothing: Wear comfortable, casual attire however, jeans and shorts are not permitted.
- Grooming Standards: Participants will be clean-shaven at all times.
- Males - Hair shall be neat, clean, trimmed and present a groomed appearance.
- Female - Hair shall be neat, clean and present a groomed appearance
- Students will come to class prepared for scheduled lessons and will bring with them all necessary materials.
- Expect to participate. Each student should be able to contribute something to our discussions and should do so regularly.
- Students must maintain a 3-ring binder (1/2 inch, black) to save handouts and record notes from the class lectures.
- Failure to comply with any of these regulations may result in dismissal from the academy.
An 8.25 hour ride-along will be scheduled in addition to the classroom / court sessions.
Click here for a Youth Police Academy Sample Schedule. For an application to the Youth Police Academy, please click here. |
