Each year, students from Frederick High School have the opportunity to participate in the Frederick Police Department’s summer youth police academy, a hands-on program designed to build meaningful connections between students and the officers who serve their community. The academy fosters lasting relationships between students and the school resource officers (SROs), who are officers assigned to work directly in the school environment, students interact with throughout the academic year and in the community.

The week-long program takes place during the first week of June at Frederick High School and is organized and led by the Frederick Police Department. The academy brings together Frederick’s school resource officers with instructors from across the department’s specialty units. Andy Fairbanks is the school resource officer at Frederick High School, and has led the program for seven years.

The academy’s hands-on approach immerses students in real-world scenarios. Students experience traffic stop simulations, witness K-9 demonstrations, and engage in training activities that showcase the diverse responsibilities of law enforcement. These experiences provide students with authentic insight into the challenges and rewards of police work while building connections with police officers that serve their community.

“While the academy is geared toward students who are interested in law enforcement, we also welcome those who are just curious to learn more about what we do,” Fairbanks explained. “It’s about giving students a full picture of policing, and just as importantly, it’s a way for us to continue building relationships with them outside the school year.”

What makes the program particularly impactful is its collaborative structure. While Frederick’s SROs coordinate the academy, officers from various specialty units contribute their expertise as instructors. This approach exposes students to different perspectives within the department and, as Fairbanks noted, helps “humanize the badge” by helping students get to know the people behind the uniform.

Frederick’s Youth Police Academy demonstrates the strong partnership between St. Vrain Valley Schools and local law enforcement. Through this collaboration, students gain valuable real-world experiences while building trust and understanding with the officers who support their school community. These connections continue to strengthen throughout the school year, creating a safer, more supportive environment for all students.