Youth Step Into the Shoes of Police Officers

By Lethbridge Herald on April 9, 2026.

by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

This week the Lethbridge Police Service is hosting 18 students during the 2026 Youth Academy, to provide them with a unique and hands-on introduction to policing. 

The academy is intended to promote policing as a career option, provide insight into the roles and responsibilities of police officers and showcase the work and opportunities available within LPS.

Constable Dana Holland, with Community Engagement said in the past youth were able to experience what a career in policing was like, but only for a day. 

“This year we wanted to have three days, so we can give the youth that much more of an opportunity to see what we actually do, day to day as police officers,” said Holland. 

She said officers from different units, showcased what they do in their various areas of work. On Tuesday, the youth were able to participate in the physical component at the Lethbridge Polytechnic gymnasium. 

“We wanted them to see what it’s like to do the APREP (Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Policing) and get through all that, just because there is definitely a physical component to everything,” said Holland. 

The students, range in age from 12 to 16 years old, also had the opportunity to take part in activities that reflect real-life policing functions, including a station tour and recruiting presentation, forensic identification and investigative skills, specialized unit demonstrations such as K9 and Tactical, as well as scenario-based exercises. 

“We picked this age category because we wanted to hit up junior high as well as high school. And part of that was, we’ve recognized that lots of times when kids get to high school, they kind of already know what they’re doing or maybe they’ve already set their course,” said Holland. 

She explained that when they talked to recruiting, they said one of the things they noticed was the fact that older students already had their career paths somewhat planned, while those in Junior High School are still trying to figure it out. 

“This gives them an opportunity, if they are interested, it can put them along that line of where they want to be going,” said Holland. 

She said the desire to participate in the Youth Academy was so much, that they ended up with approximately 75 interested students, but had to narrow it down to 18. 

“The kids that are here are from about 10 different schools around Lethbridge, which was awesome. We did put the application out to everyone, and we had a huge influx of students who were interested,” said Holland. 

One of the students that made the cut was Brooklyn Shakotko, a Grade 11 student from Catholic Central High School, who said she applied to the Youth Academy because she wants to pursue a career related to law. 

“So far, it’s been really good. It is super information based, the ideas and concepts that you would not normally have unless you’re taking the course. And I feel like being able to get into it at an earlier age is a lot better than if you were older,” said Shakotko. 

Throughout the program, students interact directly with LPS officers and subject matter experts, gaining first-hand exposure to policing environments, tools and techniques.

“Being able to do this hands-on training and learning a little bit more about just what it would be like to be a police officer, I think it’s 100 per cent beneficial,” said Shakotko. 

She said being introduced to hard topics earlier in life through the academy gives students time to think, focus, and learn. 

“And it’s setting you up for what courses you need to take, what life skills need to have, basic information that helps you be able to take the course a lot easier,” said Shakotko.

The academy will culminate in a final investigative scenario, allowing participants to apply what they’ve learned in a practical setting.

The initiative supports the Service’s broader commitment to community engagement and proactive recruitment by fostering early interest and building positive relationships with youth.