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Education

Gwinnett starts law enforcement program for students

Wayne Rikard, Gwinnett County Schools chief of police safety and security, right, recognizes veteran school resource officers as they train for the 2014-15 school year in Lawrenceville, Ga., marking the first time Gwinnett schools will have armed officers in all of its middle schools. David Tulis / AJC Special

Credit: David Tulis

Credit: David Tulis

Wayne Rikard, Gwinnett County Schools chief of police safety and security, right, recognizes veteran school resource officers as they train for the 2014-15 school year in Lawrenceville, Ga., marking the first time Gwinnett schools will have armed officers in all of its middle schools. David Tulis / AJC Special
By
Dec 20, 2016

Gwinnett County’s school resource officers and its security office are partnering with the Boy Scouts to start a program to teach students interested in careers in law enforcement.

Membership to the Law Enforcement Explorer program is open to all currently enrolled Gwinnett County public high school students ages 14-20. Enrollees meet twice a month on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gwinnett School Police Headquarters located at 1229 Northbrook Center, Suite A, Suwanee. The next two meetings are January 17 and January 24.

Students will receive training in traffic stops, domestic violence, DUI investigations, and accident investigations from veteran police officers. They also will have the opportunity to compete in various police competitions. During the summer, students can attend an abbreviated 40-hour police academy.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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