Lompoc’s Junior Police Camp saw 23 7- to 10-year-olds graduate from the program’s 2017 session. The graduates received a certificate of completion from Lompoc Police Chief Patrick Walsh and were treated to a barbecue meal at the end of the camp.
The camp consisted of three training days in which the children learned about local police operations. They had the chance to meet with police officers, Sheriff’s deputies, and FBI agents. They also toured the Lompoc Police Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Substation, and the Allan Hancock Public Safety Training Center.
Campers were taught about crime scene investigations, SWAT operations, and got to meet K-9 Bolt on their last day. The students got to watch a demonstration where the K-9 protected his handler.
Lompoc youth have one more opportunity to experience what the Jr. Police Camp has to offer this year. The last camp will run July 10-12. Parents who want to enroll their kids should call the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department at 875-8100.
This article appears in Jul 6-13, 2017.