Article Contributed on: 10/2/2006 12:10:11 PM
Paul Skattum remembers spending many Wednesday evenings as a Northglenn teen learning and interacting with officers in the city's Police Department.
Now, five years later, Paul Skattum is on his way to becoming an officer himself.
It was during his senior year in high school that Skattum decided to become a Police Officer and join the U.S Air Force. Before graduating from high school, Skattum followed his senior advisor's suggestion and joined the Northglenn Teen Police Academy. The program, offered by the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association of Northglenn (CPAAAN) and the Police Department, is designed to provide young adults with an informative and enjoyable opportunity to learn, through hands-on experience, about the Northglenn Police Department and its operations. It also provides an overview of the various areas of law enforcement.
"My experience during the Teen Police Academy was unforgettable. The program gave me the foundation needed before joining the Police Academy. Not only did I get to meet many officers, I also got to work on different case scenarios. I would encourage every teen who is interested in law enforcement to consider going through the program," said Skattum.
Right after completing the Teen Police Academy program, Skattum volunteered to work in the Police Department as a Park Ranger. Park Rangers are in-charge of patrolling city parks on a weekly basis during the summer months.
"It was a great experience and an opportunity to meet people in the community," said Skattum.
Four months ago, Skattum accomplished one of his goals; he has joined the Northglenn Police Department. He is currently in the second phase of the field-training program and he expects to graduate very soon.
Eventually, Skattum would like to be a detective and work for the Drug Task Force. He has plans to go back to school and continue studies in Criminal Psychology. In the meantime, Skattum is very happy to be working for a department that has done a great job of educating and informing the Northglenn community and high schools.
CPAAAN and the Northglenn Police offer the Teen Police Academy program twice a year. Classes are composed of five to 18 students. Every year, there is a waiting list to sign up for the program.
"Most of the students that sign up come from Northglenn High School. This year we are working on expanding the program to any student enrolled in the Adams Twelve Five Star School District who is interested in law enforcement. This program offers students a great opportunity to build relationships and partner with police officers," said officer
Rick Kellogg.