Junior Police Academy graduates 11

LIHUE — Eleven students graduated from the Kauai Police Department’s third Junior Police Academy class earlier this month, at a ceremony held in the courtyard of KPD headquarters.

“KPD’s Junior Police Academy offers a glimpse into the important roles and responsibilities of our officers, dispatchers and professional staff,” said KPD Chief Todd Raybuck.

“I am honored and proud to congratulate our graduating youth on completing this program. As law enforcement and as leaders, we strive to educate and inspire this next generation, and hope that one day they might also consider taking the oath to serve and protect their community,” he said.

The high school students were honored with a lei and a symbolic chief’s challenge coin, marking their completion of the nine-day training program.

Jayvee Agulay, William Andres, Jayshier Castillo, Jonathan Jensen, Gabriel Krause, Chysen Lagunes-Rapozo, Laura Pearl, Noelani Ringering, Kailani Reyes, Brant Tanaka and Cameron Whittenburg all graduated.

KPD’s Junior Police Academy is a program under the Kauai Police Activities League (K-PAL) designed to introduce students to police operations and law-enforcement functions through both classroom and field instruction.

The curriculum included instruction on the criminal-justice system, crime-scene investigations, evidence collection, forensics, Segway training, firearms safety, first aid, CPR and AED, physical fitness, and active-shooter-response training.

The program serves as an introductory course to KPD’s Explorer Program, which provides young adults ages 14 through 20 an opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement.

The next class for KPD’s Junior Police Academy has not yet been scheduled, however the department anticipates it will be offered during winter break. Details will be announced as more information becomes available.

For more information on KPD’s Junior Police Academy, call Sgt. Lance Okasaki at 241-1647.