Montana Junior Police Academy set in state capital

High School students statewide will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what life is like in the police academy this summer in Helena.

The Montana Association of Chiefs of Police will be sponsoring the Montana Junior Police Academy on the campus of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena. The academy will last for one week, July 8-14.

Havre Police Department Chief Gabe Matosich said that the academy “gives students a good chance to learn about public service and about being in law enforcement.”

According to the Havre Police Department press release, “The JPLA is designed for high school students who want to work on leadership skills being taught through a law enforcement perspective.”

The JPLA will include instruction in the classroom as well as scenario based training. The press release also said that the academy will include physical activity and “some of the classes include driving skills, firearm skills, physical fitness and crime scene investigation.”

Matosich said it will be a good experience because the students will get to experience life like it is “in the actual academy.”

The association covers all the costs associated with the academy.

“This includes a dress down uniform;” Matosich said, “anything they would need for academy will be provided.”

All high school-aged students in Montana are able to apply. Matosich said he would “encourage any student to apply who is interested in what law enforcement does or (students who) want to be in law enforcement.”

Matosich said that applications are available on the association’s website at http://macop.com under current events.

After filling out the application, Matosich said, students can send the application to the police chief in their community and the police department will submit it to the academy.

Matosich added that about 30 kids are admitted to the JPLA and “most kids who apply will be accepted.”

Applications are due April 26 and Matosich said interested students can contact Havre High School Resource Officer Josh Holt or Matosich at 265-4361 if they have any questions.