The NYPD held a career day at its police academy this week for more 1000 young people involved in its summer internship program with the intention of both fighting crime and offering them opportunities for the future.
The academy, located in College Point, Queens, hosted the job fair and departmental meet-and-greet with NYPD personnel on Aug. 8. According to top police officials, the day was about bidding the teenage interns a fond farewell for their summer of service while also showcasing their options for the future.
“My first job in the NYPD was in this program, and when I had the opportunity to take it over, I really wanted to really create an opportunity where we basically blow it up and kids get to see the whole department,” Assistant Commissioner Alden Foster said.
During the fair, the interns learned how to safely handle firearms, wear body armor, meet Emergency Service personnel, interact with the digidog robot, and participate in realistic scenarios using virtual reality that depict what it is like for cops to face life or death situations.
Founded by the New York City Police Foundation, the Options Program employs virtual reality to help at-risk youth and officers connect in hopes of preventing crime.
“They have some exercises the officers can really get them to open up and recognize what they’re feeling,” Gregg Roberts of the Police Foundation said. “One young person, he was in the Bloods, and he said, ‘I get this now I know what you’re talking about when I’m playing basketball. When I lose my temper, take me out of the game. I’m of no use to my team when I lose my temper.’”
While the career fair also featured other agencies and corporations who set up booths to offer teens job opportunities, police also pointed out the day was about building lasting relationships between the youngsters and cops that will last well into the future.
“It’s just really important that the young people get to see all the different units, especially the ones that might be in a neighborhood due to crimes that are happening. They get an opportunity to be able to come to hang out with the cops but learn a little bit about what they do every day,” Commissioner Foster said.
