Four Canyon High students recently graduated from the 15 week long Sheriff’s Academy.

The academy teaches students how the law works, how to shoot guns and what a police officer may do in their job. The program also uses an agility course for students, and students may even ride in a patrol car. The CHS graduates of the program are seniors Garrett Simpson, Jimmy Warren, Kalob Brumley and junior Logan Campbell. Campbell received the Outstanding Male Student Award while participating in the program.

“The award was really about how the instructors and representatives felt about you as a person,” Campbell said. “I had heard about the academy from my mom, and I had already been in training with the fire department for the past two years, so I decided to try something new.”

Campbell said he learned how to appreciate officers and law enforcement more at the Academy.

“We don’t appreciate the law enforcement as much as we should,” Campbell said. “A lot goes on at the office and there are many officers killed on the job and out in the field. Most people don’t realize how much of a risk the officers are taking for our community.”

Simpson said he was in the Academy for 18 weeks.

“I decided to join the academy because it was just something to do,” Simpson said. “It helped me to see what my options could potentially be in the future.”

Simpson also said being an officer isn’t only about catching people.

“Being on law enforcement is really about keeping peace with the community,” Simpson said. “If I were to stick with law enforcement, I would like to be on SWAT.”

Warren said he decided to enroll in the academy because he understands how the law operates.

“I’m already an intern at the sheriff’s office,” Warren said. “I enrolled in the academy in late September, and finished in February, and we met every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m.”

Warren said his favorite thing about the academy was learning about what cops actually do.

“I got a better understanding about how their jobs work,” Warren said. “I also liked the shooting range. I got to shoot guns like a 9 mm, AR 15s, and Glocks. They even had a Remington Shotgun.”

If you would like to enroll the Sheriff’s Academy, or would like more information, see Officer Jones in his office.

To visit the Canyon Police Station’s website, click here.