Six law enforcement agencies from across the Central Coast held two weeks of physical and mental challenges for 23 young people between the ages of 14 and 20 years old as part of the Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.
Those young men and women had their final inspections on July 26 and graduated. The students participated in a worksite-based program for young men and women who are interested in the fields of law, law enforcement, or public safety. The goal of the program is to educate and involve youth in law enforcement operations in order to interest them in possible law enforcement careers.
Leah Urzua, 17, of Santa Barbara said she was proud to graduate.
“We have learned about teamwork, integrity, and how to be accountable. I know it will help me in my future,” Urzua said in a press release. “I originally signed up for this program for community service hours, and found through this experience my passion to be in law enforcement.”
Agencies involved in the program were the Arroyo Grande, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Morro Bay, and Santa Maria police departments.
For more information, visit learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 7, 2014.
