YORK COUNTY — While many students took off for their summer vacation, a group of teens from York County spent a week learning the ins and outs of local law enforcement agencies as part of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Citizen Academy for Youth.
The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Citizen Academy for Youth is an annual summer program open to county residents between 14 and 17 years of age who want to learn about law enforcement.
From Aug. 11-15, teens in the program participated in a wide variety of hands-on activities, from processing fingerprints, learning about crime scene investigation and driving under the influence virtual reality exercises. The group also had the opportunity to meet members of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
Sofia Beiser, Kaylynn Thomas and Cait Hogan, all 17-year-olds, participated in the program.
“I have definitely learned a lot more about some of the laws in Virginia and the specifications of our laws here that I didn’t know. It’s been really helpful as I’ve been looking into a law enforcement career,” Beiser said.
According to Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Taylor, the program is designed to increase understanding through education and interaction, teach youth why law enforcement can and cannot do certain things, increase law enforcement awareness, create well-informed youth and build partnerships in the community.
While most of the classes were held at the Sheriff’s Office, the group also traveled to visit the York County Courthouse and 911 Communications Center.
“I really enjoyed learning about dispatching and what they do as their job. I’ve heard a lot of stories that have changed my mindset on a few things with law enforcement and now I’m considering dispatch as a possible career,” Thomas said.
The group also had the opportunity to meet with York-Poquoson Sheriff Ron Montgomery and ask questions.
“Even if you are just considering a career in law enforcement, you should take part in this program. Even if you are not sure what you want to do, this can completely sway your opinion in either direction for what your future might hold. It’s been a great learning opportunity that has opened a lot of doors for me on not only criminal justice but the million other career paths I can do in this particular field,” Hogan said.
The Youth Citizen Academy will return in 2026. For more information, visit yorkcounty.gov.