DA’s office launches Law & Leadership Youth Academy
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office held a Law & Leadership Summer Youth Academy for incoming 8th and 9th graders for the first time at its Indio and Murrieta offices this week. The camp was held in Indio from July 24-28.
DA officials said this is the second summer the program has been held in Riverside.
Six, 8th and 9th grade students from Indio were selected by their school counselors to participate in the Law and Leadership Summer Youth Academy.
“We recruit about 15 students. Kids sometimes lack that knowledge. (They may think), ‘What’s out there? I can’t do it. I don’t know how’. So exposing these kids to these opportunities is amazing. It motivates them. It inspires them,” Lupe Mares, one school counselor said.
Students got hands-on experience in crime scene investigations, mock trials and academy training at the District Attorney’s Indio Office this week.
“Since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be in law enforcement. because I want to be a sheriff when I grow up. I don’t want any trouble and mess up my background and all that cause of what I want to become when I grow older,” said one student, Salvador Hernandez.
Hernandez’s dad says he couldn’t be prouder.
“He’s trying to stay clean. He stays away from all those trouble kids in our neighborhood. He just focuses on what he wants to be and I’m proud of that. I don’t want him to live the life I lived. I’m just so happy for him,” Hernandez’s dad said.
The program isn’t just for those seeking careers in law enforcement. Leadership skills are also tested in team building activities.
The DA’s office will offer the program again next Summer. Students who are interested in attending next year can call (951)955-5400 for more information.
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