It’s not every day that a 10-year-old learns how to lift a fingerprint or conduct a traffic stop, but kids attending Shelby Police Department’s Cop Camp would be the exception.
For two weeks each summer, officers with the department spend time with local youth to show various operations of the department.
Moreover, they teach young people to have confidence and build relationships with each other and law enforcement.
“I think this is an opportunity for them to build that relationship, and they can know we’re not perfect and we’re human,” said Sgt. Dan Bernat, Shelby Police Department Cop Camp coordinator.
While this is Bernat’s first year heading up the camp, he has participated in it for about a decade.
He said between six to eight officers run the week-long camp that typically sees about 25 campers each of the two sessions.
They start off with activities that serve as ice breakers.
Throughout the week, campers learn about crime scene investigations, traffic stops and different divisions such as the departments K9 unit.
They participate in a career day where they learn about different jobs within the city, but they also have recreational time such as swimming and playing various games.
The week culminates with a cookout and graduation ceremony.
Bernat said he enjoys watching the kids come out of their shells throughout the week.
He believes that both officers and campers benefit from the relationships built during those two weeks of summer.
And Police Chief Brad Fraser agree.s
“It's just an all-around good experience not only for the officers but for the kids,” he said. “It's the relationship. At the start of the week, they know Sgt. Bernat, but at the end of the week they know who Dan is.”
Cop Camp is a free service offered each summer that lasts from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department announces open registration on its Facebook page and to date has not turned anyone away.
Fraser encourages anyone interested in enrolling their child to keep an eye out next spring.
Most Popular
Comments / 0