Scotts Valley Police Academy Opens Registration for Summer Youth Program

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. — The Scotts Valley Police Department is gearing up for its annual Junior Police Academy, offering two weeklong sessions this summer for local youth. The program, running since 2000, aims to engage students entering the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades in law enforcement-related activities.

This year, the academy sessions will take place from July 7-11 and July 28-Aug. 1, each capped at 20 students. Participants will engage in a variety of activities including first aid training, K9 demonstrations, and crime scene investigations. Officers from SVPD will lead the programs, sharing their expertise in law enforcement history and physical agility exercises.

The Junior Police Academy also includes community service, with each session offering participants four hours of volunteer work. The program costs $100 per student, covering a T-shirt, snacks, drinks, and culminates with a family barbecue.

“This is a great opportunity for young people to learn about law enforcement and gain valuable skills,” said Lieutenant John Smith of the Scotts Valley Police Department. “We encourage all interested families to register early due to limited availability.”

To register, parents can visit the Scotts Valley Police Department at 1 Civic Center Dr., Scotts Valley, or contact the department’s Investigations Unit at 831-440-5670 for more information. Interested families are encouraged to sign up soon to ensure their child has a place in this popular summer program.