Browse
Log in / Register
Share
The Phenix City Junior Police Academy celebrated its third graduating class in a ceremony held July 15, 2025, wrapping up a weeklong immersive experience for local youth. The program, which aims to build trust between law enforcement and the community, gave participants hands-on exposure to policing—from K-9 demonstrations and vehicle controls to mock crime scene investigations.
"This academy is about more than teaching kids what we do," said Phenix City Police Chief Ray Smith during the graduation ceremony. "It's about showing them that officers are approachable, and that a career in law enforcement is both rewarding and vital." The comment drew applause from the 32 graduates, their families, and the officers who served as instructors throughout the week.
The curriculum this year included expanded components: students learned basic traffic stop procedures, participated in a fingerprint analysis workshop, and observed a SWAT equipment demonstration. But the most popular sessions, according to student surveys collected by the department, were the K-9 performance and the vehicle control exercises, where cadets got to sit in a patrol car and use the lights and siren under officer supervision.
Eleven-year-old Jordan Miles, one of the graduates, said the vehicle control session was his favorite. "I never knew how heavy the vests were, or how much training the dogs need. I might want to be a K-9 handler when I grow up," he said, holding the academy certificate his mother had framed the night before.
The program is free for Phenix City residents ages 10 to 14, and applications for the fourth class are already open for next summer. According to academy coordinator Sergeant Emily Torres, this year's class had the highest number of applicants yet—over 60, from which 32 were selected based on essays and teacher recommendations. "We're seeing more interest every year, especially from kids who have older siblings who went through it," she said in an interview.
Compared to the inaugural class two years ago, the program has nearly doubled in size and added two new modules: a community service project (graduates cleaned a city park) and a panel discussion with officers from various units. Torres noted that several alumni have since joined the Phenix City Police Department's Explorer program, a pipeline for future recruits.
The graduation event itself featured a keynote speech by D.A.R.E. officer Kevin Brooks, who encouraged students to "carry the respect and responsibility you learned here into your schools and neighborhoods." Each cadet received a challenge coin and a certificate, and the top three performers were awarded rides in a police helicopter—a prize that drew loud cheers.
For many parents, the academy also served as a bonding experience. "My son used to be nervous around police cars. Now he waves and tells me he knows what each light means," said Debra Jenkins, whose 13-year-old son Carlos graduated this year. "I think this kind of program is exactly what communities need."
Beyond the immediate impact, the Phenix City Junior Police Academy is part of a broader push by the Alabama Department of Public Safety to expand youth outreach, with similar programs now launching in Auburn and Montgomery. According to Chief Smith, the local initiative has already led to a 15% increase in interest among high school students considering law enforcement careers, based on school survey data.
The academy's growing popularity also reflects a national trend: youth police programs are being revitalized across the U.S. as agencies seek to rebuild public trust. A 2024 report from the National Police Foundation noted that well-structured youth academies can reduce negative perceptions by up to 30% among participants and their families.
In Phenix City, the program has also fostered unexpected side benefits: local businesses donated equipment and snacks; a restaurant provided free lunches for the entire class; and the city's recreation department offered space for physical training sessions. "It takes a village to raise an officer," Torres joked.
Looking ahead, Torres said the department is already planning a "Junior Police Academy Reunion" in the fall for all three classes, with an aim to keep alumni engaged and promote further community service projects.
The ceremony closed with the class of 2025 forming a human tunnel for the outgoing graduates, as officers and parents cheered. Graduates lined up to shake hands with Chief Smith and receive a final piece of advice: "If you ever need help, you know where to find us—and now, you know what we do."
For more information on how to apply for the 2026 class, visit the Phenix City Police Department's youth programs page or contact Sergeant Torres at the number provided on the city website. The application deadline is March 1, 2026, with the program running from July 7–11.
