Phoenix Police Host Summer Academy

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer? If you’re a middle school student in the Phoenix area, you may have a chance to find out.

The Phoenix Police Department is hosting a free summer academy for rising seventh and eighth graders interested in law enforcement. Students who attend will have the opportunity to learn what happens at the police department on a daily basis and build relationships with police officers, along with members of the community.

The weeklong program will meet daily in both June and July. The schedule ranges from lighthearted activities like team building and discussions about ethics to lessons with real-life applications, like staying safe on social media and having proper firearm safety training.


Additionally, students will learn about the potentially dangerous effects of alcohol and dangerous drugs. Gang activity and traffic safety will also be discussed, along with everyday police duties like fingerprinting correctly and handling crime scenes with care.

There’s no cost to students to participate.

On the last day of the program, participants will get to play detective and investigate a mock crime scene with the help of law enforcement officers. The police department hopes to make Phoenix the safest major city in the nation, and this is one of many community outreach programs with that goal in mind.

The academy takes place June 19-23 and July 24-28 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Each day, students must be dropped off at the Mountain View Precinct, 2075 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix. Students must attend a school within city limits to participate.

Space is limited, so students are encouraged to sign up early. The deadline for the applications is June 13 for the first session and July 18 for the second session. 

To find out more, visit Phx.gov/police