Faulkner County Sheriff's Office is excited to announce the first-ever Faulkner County Youth Law Enforcement Academy. Chief Deputy Chad Wooley started working with Garrett Fisher, Life Scout, earlier this year. Garrett is a student at Guy-Perkins High School, and he is a member of Boy Scout Troop 152. Chief Wooley stated that he was immediately intrigued and excited about Garrett's proposal. Garrett Fishers' vision for the project is as follows:

"For my Eagle Project, I am working with the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office to create a Youth Law Enforcement Academy. I chose this project for multiple reasons. When I was younger, I was extremely interested in law enforcement and wanted to know more about it. This created my passion for law enforcement. There are currently no programs offered that are designed to engage students' interests in law enforcement. A program like this would also create a better relationship and connection between teens and their local law enforcement officers, allowing them to witness first-hand the training and day-to-day operations that go into being a law enforcement officer. My end-goal of this academy is to create a sustainable program that produces students that are eager to go into law enforcement."

All of us at Faulkner County Sheriff's Office strive to build and maintain trust and respect between law enforcement and the public in an effort to improve police-community relations. Garrett is exactly right; it is our goal that, by interacting with our youth during academy activities, we will hopefully be able to build lasting relationships, strengthen connections, serve as a positive influence, and leave a positive life-long impression. Through this academy, cadets will receive a first-hand insight of the law enforcement profession, which will hopefully provide a foundation to build upon for a future career in law enforcement.

For this very first academy, cadets are being selected from various Faulkner County School Districts in cooperation with local School Resource Officers and School Officials as an honorable invite.

Chief Wooley stated, "I would like to thank all of the sponsors thus far that have committed to helping make this event a success. Invest in our youth at every opportunity. I look forward to working with Garrett to make this vision a reality."

For more information about the Faulkner County Youth Law Enforcement Academy, please contact Chief Deputy Chad Wooley via email at chad.wooley@fcso.ar.gov