Native American and Alaskan Native Youth Participate in Youth Police Academy
On August 11–16, 2014, The National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) of Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) hosted the COPS Office-funded Tribal Youth Police Academy (TYPA) in Appleton, Wisconsin. The academy provided Native American and Alaskan Native students an opportunity to learn about law enforcement as well as other criminal justice careers. Students were required to complete an application, submit an essay, and provide a letter or recommendation from a tribal official, member of a tribal police department, or member of a tribal school. Students were selected based on their application packet with specific focus on a wide representation from tribes across the country. The academy consisted of 41 students from 33 federally recognized tribes in 13 states. Additionally, nine tribal instructors and mentors were on site, providing valuable experience and leadership. The instructional staff had a variety of criminal justice backgrounds with agencies such as Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Kalispell Fire Department, Lac Du Flambeau Tribal Court, Tohono O’odham Police Department, Menominee Tribal Police Department, Zuni Tribal Court, Zuni Tribal Police Department, and Lummi Nation Police Department.
The initial focus of programming was to have students begin to work as one unit. They were dressed in the same academy attire and placed into formation. Students participated in a team building high and low ropes challenge course that allowed them to become acquainted as well as learn how to work as a team to overcome physical and mental obstacles. Students were encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and conquer their fear(s). Through the encouragement of team members and instructors, many students were able to successfully confront challenges provided by the course. They also completed morning physical training as a group. Leaders quickly emerged and were placed in formal group leadership positions. By the end of the week, 12 students had experienced being a squad leader, and three students experienced being a platoon leader. Squad leaders were responsible for getting the students into the proper formation, while platoon leaders were responsible for providing directions to the entire unit. Squad and platoon leaders received recognition for their leadership at the graduation ceremony.
As the week of programming continued, students participated in lectures and discussions facilitated by guest speakers who provided instruction on diverse topics including specialized SWAT equipment; police K9; and the role of community resource officers, forensics, fire investigations, restorative justice and peacemaking, and tribal law. These lectures allowed students to hear not only from practitioners involved in specialized law enforcement but also from professionals involved in other criminal justice careers such as law, courts, and probation. Additionally, an emergency medical helicopter visited the FVTC campus. A local fire department set up a landing zone and the students were able to observe the helicopter land and later take off.
Students participated in police tactics training that allowed them to learn basic room clearing techniques, tactical team movement, defensive tactics, and use of force options. Through the use of a scenario simulator, students were presented with various use of force situations that required them to react appropriately. On the final day of programming, students were able to use their training by participating as officers in a crime scenario. Students witnessed role players act out a simulated robbery and car theft, which led them to obtain a warrant and conduct a search looking for the suspect and evidence of the crime. After being debriefed about what they witnessed and what actions they took, each group elected one team member to testify in front of a judge while being questioned by a prosecutor. The scenario allowed the students to experience a crime from commission to conviction.
TYPA provided a variety of law enforcement and criminal justice instruction, but the academy also focused on developing positive young community members and leaders. Students learned about themselves through a lecture intended to help them understand their own temperament and communication styles and then effectively use that information to positively interact with others. There was also a focus on having students present to the group and allowing them to become more comfortable with public speaking. Each night, students came together for a time of reflection in the form of a talking circle that allowed them to discuss their culture and heritage, as well as their own difficult life experiences.
The following comments were shared by a few of the students:
“The academy exceeded my expectations and became an experience I will always remember and will help me continue my path toward a career in law enforcement.”
“This academy has been the best experience in my entire life. I gained family here, and I wish I could come back and experience it again.”
“This was awesome, because I know now how to help keep my community safe and alcohol and drug free.”
“The academy delivered the experience of what it’s like to be a cop or work in the criminal justice field very well.”
“It has shown me other criminal justice careers and other things I didn’t know or think about.”
“It was very interactive, and the instructors really talked to us on a personal level, which helped a lot!”
A full publication detailing the 2014 Tribal Youth Police Academy is in development to be released in 2015.
Philip Schaefer
Project Specialist – Law Enforcement
National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College
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