It seems simple enough….

A police officer stands before a classroom of kids and says,

"My name is Officer Smith.

"I am here because I care and because you are important to this community.”

That moment can be gold. Years of misconceptions about “the police” can be sweep away in few minutes. But you have to prepare.

Don’t wing-it

Most police officers are not trained to speak to kids and they fall back on a Powerpoint that is probably out of date and not calibrated to the attention span of a seventh grader. 

Often times an officer will wing-it and the results are less than optimal. It is an opportunity lost.

THAT’S WHERE WE COME IN.

The Junior Police Academy provides police officers with resources that help them connect with kids. Our programming will make you think about your message.

The programming on this page will help you…

• Learn about the program through the JPA’s Media Center.

• Master your teacher skills with Classroom Success for the School Resource Officer.

• Join our online community and learn from the best through our Facebook page.

• Download courses and handouts for classroom instruction.

• And bring the world of law enforcement to life with our interactive learning units.

[The content offered below is the result of many years of hard work by police officers and educators. We thank them all for their tireless efforts on behalf of young people.]

The JPA Media Center introduces you to the Junior Police Academy through the eyes of police officers and educators who have pioneered the program over the years.

To watch, go to our Youtube channel

or sample some video below. 

Improve your classroom skills.

Written by one of the country’s most dynamic and successful teachers, retired police officer Suzanne D'Ambrose, Classroom Success for the School Resource Officer was created specifically for police officers who seek to make a success transition to the classroom.

Go to course page

Looking to join our online community? It's a great place to ask questions and learn from experienced instructors.

Join us on Facebook.

Connecting with Kids is designed to change the way young people perceive law enforcement in America!

From SRO’s to FBI Agents, your cadets will discover the vital role law enforcement plays in securing the safety of all our citizens. Through classroom discussions and student activities, cadets develop a deeper appreciation of law enforcement.

Full semester course for those who wish to offer JPA as an elective course in middle schools or high schools.

LINK TO COURSE

American Police Officer is a course in character building from the Junior Police Academy.

The program is an extension of the Junior Police Academy’s central philosophy:  To truly inspire good character, you have to put kids in the room with it!  

Over the past twenty years, the Junior Police Academy has been doing just that – proactively bringing young people and law enforcement professionals together.

Bomb Squad, CSI, SWAT, Patrol Officer, FBI Special Agent – each is an opportunity for young people to connect and learn from members of your own community who hold a kind of advanced degree in good character. 

Get direct link to course materials.

JPA Video Channel

JPA’s learning channel takes you behinds the scenes to visit with the innovative instructors who have pioneered the program nationwide.

Select from the videos below and sample not only the sights and sounds of JPA, but the spirit of this unique and life changing program.