Lee Co. Sheriff’s Office launches junior deputy program

They analyzed crime scenes, observed S.W.A.T. team members in action and learned various self-defense techniques.

All of this is a serious part of a law enforcement officer’s training. It’s also part of the lineup of fun activities going on all week at the Junior Deputy Academy, sponsored by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

About 27 fifth- and sixth-graders are participating in the program’s inaugural year, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said.

“The activities at this week’s academy are tailored much like what officers attending an academy would encounter,” said Jones.

Other activities for the junior deputies included an obstacle course and run with academy directors Pam Revels and Tommy Threat.

“The academy will hopefully give these kids an idea of all the different things we do,” Jones said.

Revels hopes participants walk away with an increased sense of confidence as well as the ability to work better as a member of a team.

“We want to promote good character in these young people,” added Revels.

Jones agrees.

“It’s important to establish a relationship with young people in which they interact with law enforcement other than when something has gone wrong,” Jones said. “They need to know that we’re here for them and want to help them any way we can.”

When participants in the academy graduate this weekend, they will receive a certificate of completion and a T-shirt.