20 graduate from Citizens Academy | People

The Chesterfield County Police Department's Teen Citizens Academy held its sixth graduation ceremony on Friday, July 29.

Including this class' 20 graduates, more than 100 Chesterfield teens have completed the Teen Citizens Academy.

The academy offers Chesterfield County high school students the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of police practices and procedures. Along with presentations and demonstrations by officers, the class includes tours of the county's jail and Emergency Communication Center and an open forum with members of the Office of the Chief of Police.

At Friday's graduation, Lt. Col. John C. Austin, deputy chief of support, congratulated the students for completing the week-long academy. "I'm really happy that you gave us this week," he said. Crime Prevention Officer Tim Lamb said he hoped all the participants would take with them information that they could pass on to their peers.