Norwich, CT – A group of Connecticut students is gaining firsthand experience in policing through the Law Enforcement Club, a program designed to introduce young people to law enforcement training and procedures.
Founded by Officer Robert McKinney of the Norwich Police Department at the end of the 2022-23 school year, the club offers an eight-week course that meets once a week.
In a statement released by the club, it elaborated that participants learn about the process of becoming a police officer, search and seizure laws, and their legal rights. They engage in mock motor vehicle stops, crime scene processing, and DUI enforcement.
The program also features a K-9 officer demonstration and a field trip to the Norwich Police Department.
At the end of the course, students attend a graduation ceremony where they receive a certificate, a T-shirt, and a pizza celebration.
Due to strong interest, McKinney introduced an advanced six-week version of the program in January 2024. The extended course allows returning students to apply what they previously learned in a simulated investigation.
Working in small teams, they respond to a mock case, where they must identify witnesses, suspects, and victims, conduct interviews, write reports, and draft warrants.
The exercise concludes with serving the warrant and determining whether they successfully solved the case.
The advanced program also gives students the opportunity to observe police recruits in training and seek guidance on their investigative work.
Last week, the Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut hosted club members and praised the initiative.
“The kids had so many great questions,” the council said in a statement. “We hope they had fun and learned something valuable. Thank you, Officer McKinney, for your dedication to these children.”
