Local kids learn how to be cops

Almost every kid has dreamed of becoming a police officer at one point in time. This week, Madison County is helping youth make those dreams a reality by offering police academy style training for local students.

For the last decade, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has held a week-long camp that has taught local kids everything from police ethics, to self-defense, arrest techniques and even how to handle guns.

It’s a police training boot camp, perfect for any student who dreams of working in law enforcement.

“It’s a lot of fun. You get to learn a bunch of techniques and make friends that last and it’s a blast,” said Kaylie Rasmussen, a freshman at Madison High School.

For Rasmussen, a three-year camp veteran, a job in law enforcement isn’t something new. Her father works for the sheriff’s office so she said it runs in the family.

“I do, I think it would be really fun and this camp is perfect if that’s what you want to do,” said Rasmussen. “I want to be like my dad, a lieutenant.”

Organizers say the handful of 7th to 12th graders that participated this year, will leave the camp with a better understanding of what law enforcement officers go through on a daily basis.

“We have a bunch of the deputies and the officers from the office helping out each day with the different topics that we’ll be discussing. So everyone gets on board and helps out,” said Corp. Jared Willmore with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Madison County holds this week-long camp every summer.

For more information, visit http://www.madisonsheriff.com/index.php/other-information/youth-camp