Police Want To Reach Out To Good Kids Lead Program Geared To Strengthening Leadership Skills Of Spokane Students

Spokane police officers want to meet some good kids for a change.

This summer, they want to work with students who have leadership skills, good grades and a desire to learn. Kids who wouldn’t dream of skipping school or dropping out.

The ones who wouldn’t mind a little more schooling after school is out, courtesy of Spokane Police.

“We want the kids who don’t get recognized all that much because they’re staying out of trouble,” said Officer Robert Walker, who will help teach a course called Leadership, Education and Development this summer.

Problem is, only 28 students so far have applied to be in the workshop, scheduled to begin in June. There’s room for 180.

Paid for with state money, the program is geared to broaden the leadership qualities the students have shown in school. It’s being offered to area eighth- and ninth-graders.

The program will be broken down into five classes of about 36 students each. The classes will last four days at the Spokane Police Academy from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Each day, students will meet a new police officer and discuss different aspects of law enforcement. They’ll learn how to run meetings, give effective speeches and the importance of values and ethics. Outdoor problem-solving team exercises also will be scheduled.

Every student who participates will receive a LEAD T-Shirt and a certificate for 33 hours of community service to use on their resumes.

Walker promises it will be fun. “And at the same time, we hope these kids will learn to step out in life and take a chance. We’ll show them they can do it,” he said.

For more information on LEAD, or to receive an application, call 625-4083 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The first class will begin June 19. The final class starts Aug. 7.