Teens get inside look at police-work during academy

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Students eager to enter careers in law enforcement are getting an inside look at the job. The Goodyear Police Department is holding a 1-week long teen police academy, showing the many angles of police work.

The free program is a chance for young people to see what police officers do. It features the department's detectives, K-9 units, crime scene investigators, and SWAT team. It's also an opportunity for the department to forge closer ties with the community.

In the academy, officers teach a healthy respect for weapons showing the damage a bullet can do, when to shoot, and when not to shoot and much more.

"The big thing that is very interesting is we take them to gun range fire and ten rounds with many different rounds we use in policing. So we teach them firearms safety and give them a good introduction to firearms," said Officer Don Host.

The academy comes at a time of deadly attacks against police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. These students are aware of the risks.

"Well there has always been violence against police officers, there has always been violence against everybody it is just a thing you can't get over," said Violet Rhoades.

"I want to put my life, risk it to protect others, so it doesn't stop me, the dangers of the job," said Dakota Berry.

These students say by becoming great cops they can build a greater trust in the community.

"I think that in any line of work there are some dangers, and I think with the recent events that strengthened my wanting to do this. I want to show the world not all police officers are what people see them as," said Cole Villa.

Some students at the academy will go on to become police explorers where they get more training and experience, many from there go on to become police officers.