It’s a summer morning. Do you know where your pre-teen children are? Some Perry parents could answer that question with absolute confidence for the last two weeks, because their sixth grade sons and daughters were under the watchful eye of police officers and firefighters, learning all about public safety, about the realities of police work, law and order, and firefighting.
The department’s Youth Academy, a free program, included outdoor fun as well as learning activities, and included a trip to Wild Adventures. In the police academy, run by the officers who serve in the schools, the young people got a chance to learn about arrests and police protocol, how evidence is handled, and even a little about trials.
They held a trial themselves with Mayor Jim Worrall serving as judge, and the young people serving as a jury.
In the mock trial, which was the culmination of an investigation, they saw one of their peers brought in wearing handcuffs and shackles, and being searched. The trial proceeded with both defense and prosecution, and the young defendant, Daryl Alford, given the name of John Finger, and accused of driving under the influence, made the most of his role, making the judge and jury laugh.
However, the jury only had to deliberate for about 10 seconds to find “John Finger” guilty. He announced after his conviction, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must quit.”
Dylan Cunningham served as the defense attorney, and Domainique Jackson was the prosecutor. The mock trial ended with a cake and refreshments. The following week many of the same youngsters began to learn about the realities of firefighting.
