NYPD outreach event at Queens Police Academy intended to link troubled youth with career opportunities in law enforcement
NYPD Hosts Career Day for At-Risk Youth at Queens Police Academy
The New York Police Department (NYPD) recently held a career day at its Queens Police Academy, offering at-risk youth a chance to explore various career opportunities within the department and beyond.
The event, which was part of the NYPD's summer internship program, aimed to help young people find meaningful career paths, including those not interested in law enforcement. The career day featured virtual reality scenarios to provide immersive experiences and offer a realistic insight into police work.
Commissioner Foster stated, "This career day and our summer intern program allow youth to build lasting relationships with cops, helping them explore career paths while fostering meaningful community connections."
The police academy was transformed into an educational and interactive center, with department vehicles including helicopters on display. Partnering with the New York City Police Foundation, a variety of private entities set up booths at the police academy, contributing to the success of such programs.
In addition to professional exploration, the career day included activities such as free haircuts and team exercises. Gregg Roberts of the Police Foundation stated, "The career day keeps young people from getting in trouble by keeping them engaged with the police."
The career day offered the prospect of taking on jobs within the NYPD, such as patrol officers and 911 operators, as well as positions outside the department like Assistant School Safety Agents, which is open to those 18 years of age and up. Commissioner Foster highlighted the great work that Assistant School Safety Agents do every day.
The Options Program, in addition to helping young people find careers, also has a crime prevention aspect by keeping teens off the street. The career day also included demonstrations of FDNY training, further broadening the range of experiences available to the participants.
The NYPD's career day is just one example of the department's commitment to supporting at-risk youth and providing them with opportunities to succeed. By offering a variety of career opportunities and engaging activities, the NYPD is helping to empower young people and build a stronger, safer community.
[1] NYPD Press Release, "NYPD Career Day at Queens Police Academy Focuses on At-Risk Youth," 2021. [4] New York City Police Foundation, "Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Career Days," 2021.
Engaging activities such as free haircuts and team exercises at the career day were not limited to law enforcement; they also aimed to promote education-and-self-development for the participating youth. The general-news coverage of the NYPD's Career Day at Queens Police Academy highlighted the department's commitment to enabling at-risk youth to explore various lifestyle opportunities, including sports like FDNY training demonstrations.
