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Junior Police Leadership Academy Teaches Teens What it Takes to be a Leader

By Kacey Drescher

Story Created: Jul 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2011 at 11:15 PM MDT

It's not every day that police allow cameras on crime scenes but it's a special occasion this week with 30 teens from all across the state in Helena for the Junior Police Leadership Academy.

Helena High Senior Sy Keltner says because of the Junior Police Leadership Academy he has a greater respect for law enforcement. “The definitely go through a lot and it’s a hard job and that really has come to my attention after this,” says Keltner.

Elected by his peers to be the Junior Police Academy Chief, Keltner hopes to someday work as a U.S. Marshall and says the academy is building more than just his resume.

“It’s building leadership qualities that I think are essential to going back to the community and then bringing that into a school environment and then perusing your career with those leadership qualities so your successful,” adds Keltner.

From interrogation techniques, to search and rescue training and CSI Forensic Evidence Collection, the Junior Police Academy isn’t just helping 30 Montana High School students decide what their next move is after graduation; it’s creating a new generation of leaders.

“I see what real police officers do and how hard it is and I want to peruse that,” says Shelby Stevenson from Ashley, Montana.

“For myself, it’s a wonderful experience to see that the generation coming up behind us will take good care of us,” says Patrick Malone, School Resource Officer with the Missoula Police Department.

While these teens are set to graduate from the academy Saturday, “we want them to get involved in their communities; we want them to stand up against some of the problems like bullying and such that we have in high schools. We want them to take that leadership role and be active with that leadership role,” adds Malone.

The group has already gained an appreciation for the teamwork leadership brings.

“We came here as individuals and now we are a team and these guys are almost closer than some of my friends I’ve been with for many, many years at school,” says Chris Morozumi from Victor, Montana.

Sponsored by the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police, participants stay at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for free which costs the sponsoring group $5,000-$7,000 dollars.








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