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The Demopolis Police Department held a graduation ceremony for its Children’s Police Academy last Friday, June 9. A total of 28 children took part in the week-long event and received certificates at graduation. The ceremony was held at the Demopolis Police Department.

The mission of the Children’s Police Academy is to give children a positive foundation to start their childhood that will make a lasting impression and give them guidance on how to respond and act to different situations.

The program also uses anti-bullying programs and gun safety programs as part of its classroom teaching materials while using outdoor activities and field trips to make it a fun experience.

The DPD began this program in 2019 and has received large and positive responses from local children and parents. Throughout the week, participants took part in games that encouraged them to work together in their groups to find solutions.

 Demopolis Police Chief Rex Flowers gave the opening remarks and thanked the parents for allowing their children to take part in the academy, and he thanked his staff for working with and teaching the children throughout the week.

Sgt. Richard “Tank” Bryant also thanked the parents for allowing their children to participate and reported that the weeklong program had been successful.

“We worked on interpersonal communication skills and conflict resolution skills this week. We had games every single day that required us to work together as a team and it helped to build leadership skills in all our graduates,” said Bryant.

DCPA staff and guest instructors include Police Chief Rx Flowers, Sgt. Richard Bryant, Shakita Hall, Deitrich White, Monica Oliver, Vanessa Watson, Geraldine Grayson, and Mary McKinney.

The DPD gave special thanks to its partners and sponsors River City Inflatables, West Alabama Transportation, Demopolis Fire and Rescue, Plaza Golf Carts, Demopolis Public Library, AirEVac, and the Theo Ratliff Activity Center.