HOW covers a wide range of logistical considerations that will be unique to each program, so here just a couple guidelines to think about it:

Debrief & Adjust

Tweak “how” as needed. The end of each day furnishes you with time to evaluate what went right and what did not.

Police officers are accustomed to debriefings, and I have seen it put to effective use in places like Everett, Washington. Sgt Robert Goetz gathers his team of SRO’s together for an end of the day verbal report.

It’s a process of team-evaluation that will steadily improve your academy. Sgt. Goetz and his team also use a portion of the time to review the schedule for the following day.

Whether you work with a team of officers or are a one-man show, you will always be looking for ways to improve on “how”.

LAYING DOWN THE LAW

While this LEADERSHIP MANUAL is full of rules that can be disregarded or modified to best meet your needs, you will want to establish strict, unwavering rules among your cadets.

The Junior Police Academy draws upon, at least in spirit, the experience of attending an actual police academy. As with an actual academy, you will need to articulate and enforce rules governing cadet conduct.

Every officer will have their own personal take on setting the rules.

While deference should be given to the school’s existing rules, don’t hesitate to institute a code of conduct that goes well beyond what is expected of the general student population.

Setting a higher standard of ethics and integrity for cadets can itself become a learning experience. Just as a higher standard is required of police officers, so too will it be required of cadets.

Best advice: Be consistent with your enforcement of the rules.