The Abilene Police Department Youth Division, in cooperation with the Training Division, has been holding Youth Police Academy each year since 1994. The Youth Academy is modeled closely after the Abilene Police Department Citizen Police Academy. Participation is restricted to high school seniors and juniors as space allows. The Academy is an six week program that meets once a week for two hours. During the Academy teens are exposed to real police work as opposed to what they may see on television. The curriculum includes such classes as crime scene investigation, patrol procedures, police use of force, and an overview of the law. The classes include as much "hands on" work as possible, and participants take part in a ride-along with veteran patrol officers. Feedback from participants has been very positive.
BIGS IN BLUE
BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS
The Abilene Police Department and Big Brothers/Big Sisters are working together in order to recruit Police Officers to become mentors for children from single parent families. This program will enhance the perceptions of the youth in our community about law enforcement. It also provides young people of the community the opportunity to interact with law enforcement officers in a positive environment. There are several ways to become a "BIG".
In-School Match: The Officer is matched with a "little" during school year and spends 1 hour per week with the "little" at school.
Traditional Match: The Officer is matched with a "little" and spends 6-8 hours per month with the "little".
Couples & Family Match: The Officer and their family is matched with a little and spend 6-8 hours per month with the little.
Sports Buddies: The Officer is matched with a "little" during a sports season for 4 months. ( ex: baseball, basketball, football)
For further information contact the Big Brothers/Big Sisters 915-677-7839 or contact Criminal Justice Education Officer Debbie Glandon 915-673-8331
GRAFFITI ERADICATION PROGRAM
In a cooperative agreement with the Taylor County Juvenile Probation Department, the Abilene Police Department Youth Division forwards all locations of Graffiti to them. As a part of community service program, children under the Juvenile Probation Office Supervision paint over the existing Graffiti with no cost to the owner.
SNAP PROGRAM;
The SNAP program is run by the Schoool Resource Officers for a summer program. They utilize existing rexreation facilities and put on program for the children during the summer. This could but is not limited to, swimming, goring to the show, putt putt golf.