Rochester Police Launch Teen Police Academy

The new program aims to build trust and understanding between youth and law enforcement.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge reflecting a bright flash of light, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the new teen police academy program.A new teen police academy aims to foster trust and understanding between law enforcement and the local community.Rochester Today

The Rochester Police Department is launching its first-ever Teen Police Academy this summer, a new initiative designed to build trust and understanding between youth and law enforcement in the community. The program will provide local teenagers with hands-on training and insight into the day-to-day work of police officers.

Why it matters

The Teen Police Academy is part of the RPD's broader efforts to strengthen relationships with young people in Rochester, a city that has faced challenges with youth crime and tensions between law enforcement and the community. By giving teens a behind-the-scenes look at police work, the program aims to foster greater mutual respect and open communication.

The details

The Teen Police Academy will run for two weeks this summer, with participants learning about topics like traffic stops, crime scene investigation, and conflict de-escalation. Teens will also get to tour the police station, ride along with officers, and participate in team-building exercises. The program is open to any Rochester resident between the ages of 14 and 18.

  • The Teen Police Academy will launch for the first time this summer.
  • The two-week program will run from July 10-21, 2026.

The players

Rochester Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Rochester, New York that is spearheading the new Teen Police Academy program.

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What’s next

The RPD plans to evaluate the success of the inaugural Teen Police Academy and determine if it will become an annual summer program.

The takeaway

The Teen Police Academy represents an innovative approach by the Rochester Police Department to build trust and understanding with the city's youth, a critical step in improving community-police relations and reducing youth crime.