By T. Scott Boatright
American philosopher and education reformer John Dewey once said the interaction of knowledge and skills is the key to learning.
If that’s the case, this past week saw a mission accomplished for 14 Lincoln Parish youngsters who participated in the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Youth Cadet Academy.
Under the direction of LPSO Community Service Division Sgt. Iris Winston, 14 area youth went through the three-day course learning basic law enforcement skills in a variety of formats.
“We sent out applications to all sixth through eighth grade students,” Winston said. “Students that were interested filled out the applications and gave them to their school’s Student Resource Officer.
“We’ve had a lot going on this week. The rain kind of messed us up some but we still managed to get it all done.”
The week began with a tour of the Lincoln Parish Safety (Sheriff’s) Complex followed by a round of physical fitness training before an exercise on the effects of drugs and alcohol.
“We had them on golf carts wearing drunk goggles,” Winston said. “That shows them the effects of trying to drive when impaired on drugs or alcohol.”
Then the youth learned how to fingerprint and had their fingerprints taken and learned.
“After that we had a scenario simulating a vehicle burglary,” Winston said. “We had them start by taking a complaint about a vehicle burglary with a couple of witnesses, and developing a suspect. Once they got a suspect they interrogated the suspect and made an arrest.
“We had them actually take the suspect to the Detention Center and had them booked in, and then had a trial on the case.”
That first day also included a tour of the Lincoln Parish Courthouse, observation of felony criminal court, a drug demonstration by the Lincoln Parish Drug Enforcement Team and a patrol demonstration complete with mock traffic stops and a drug seizure.
The cadets learned about weapon retention during investigation/arrests on Day Two, which also included a mock crime scene, demonstration/tours of a Louisiana State Police helicopter, the Lincoln Parish Fire Department and the Ruston Ambulance Service/.
After that day’s lunch, the youth went on a jail tour with a simulated booking before taking roles in a mock trial presided over by Judge Bruce Hampton.
“They were assistant DAs with assistant DA Lori Whitten James serving as chief prosecutor and (Judge) Jeff Robinson serving as chief defense attorney,” Winston said. “They had 30 minutes to prepare. They called on witnesses, questioned the witnesses with questions they came up with themselves and then some of them deliberated as the jury.
“Three of them voted not guilty but the others found the defendant guilty as charged. It was a good experience for them. I think they got a bird’s eye view of what the criminal justice system is like.”
On Day Three, the cadets put their training to the test by taking on the LPSO obstacle training course.
“We wore them out,” LPSO Major Landon Hunt said.
The cadets then did some skeet and target shooting at the LPSO shooting range.
“We gave them some tips on how to safely use a firearm and then they tried some shooting,” Winston said.
Later on Thursday afternoon the cadets saw demonstrations by the Lincoln Parish Response Team and K-9 Unit.
The three-day course ended with a graduation/awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m Thursday.
Winston said there is another camp slated for next month for 17 cadets.
Sheriff Stephen Williams said reaction to last year’s initial Youth Training Academy was the reason two sessions were scheduled this year.
“We did the first one last year and had the graduation on Friday night,” Williams said. “I got up that Saturday morning and got on my lawn mower and started trying to mow, but I couldn’t because my phone wouldn’t stop ringing or pinging with messages from people asking if they could get their grandkid or their kid in it.
“I came to work that next Monday and told everybody that they had done a great job and that we were going to have to do it again. That was just word of mouth. It really took off and hasn’t stopped.”
While serving as a potential recruiting tool, Williams said the Youth Cadet Academy serves an even more important purpose.
“Whether they go into law enforcement or not, this helps bridge that gap between law enforcement and the community,” Williams said. “I think they see a little from our side and what we deal with and why we do the things we do.
“It’s one of the best programs we’ve ever had. In years to come, I think you’re going to see great results from it. ”
