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Ripon bringing back junior police academy, National Night Out
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Ripon Police Officer Trevor McGinnis stands with his Junior Police Academy cadets at the conclusion of their two week training session. - photo by GLENN KAHL

The Junior Police Academy is back.

Police Chief Ed Ormonde mentioned that at Tuesday's Ripon City Council meeting.

The Ripon Police Department's Junior and Advanced academies were postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our young community members will have a chance to interact with police," said Ormonde on the Junior Police Academy scheduled from June 21 through June 25, from 8 a.m. to noon at the police station, 259 N. Wilma Ave.

Youngsters in grades fifth through eighth can learn the steps it takes to become a police officer. They'll also receive a tour of the police department, receive the tools of the trade (duty belt equipment), and receive an introduction to Criminal Law.

What's more, students in this summer camp can acquire basic information on CPR and first aid coupled with evidence collection/fingerprinting and view police-training videos.

Registration is currently available for the two-week Advanced Junior Police Academy scheduled from July 12 through July 23, from 8 a.m. through noon.

Cost is $45 with each student receiving a Junior Police Academy t-shirt, binder and certificate of completion.

Those in this advanced program can participate in physical training and conduct mock traffic stops and DUI enforcement.

In addition, they'll engage in investigative scenarios, receive CPR / first aid certification, learn basic defensive tactics and hear guest speakers from other law enforcement agencies.

More information is available at www.riponpd.org.

In addition, Ormonde announced that National Night Out in Ripon will return on Tuesday, Aug. 3.