Police and Fire Youth Leadership Academy

The program will primarily be conducted at the Novi Police Department Training Center, located at 45125 Ten Mile Rd. One day will be spent at the Walled Lake Outdoors Educational Center, and another day will be spent at the Fire Department Training Center (corner of Ten Mile and Wixom).

Each student will be provided with a dry-fit t-shirt, matching shorts, water bottle, and sling bag to carry their gear in for the week. They will be asked (and expected) to wear the provided “uniform” for the week.

Participants should wear sturdy athletic style footwear each day. No flip-flops or sandals.

Students should pack a lunch each day.

All participants will also be required to bring a great attitude, lots of enthusiasm, plenty of questions, a strong desire to learn new things, willingness to contribute in a team environment, and the ability to have lots of fun and plenty of laughs.

During this program, Novi’s Public Safety staff will educate participants on a variety of subjects pertaining to law enforcement and fire safety and prevention. Each Novi Youth Police & Fire Leadership Academy graduate will gain a deeper knowledge of how Public Safety fits into the Novi Community, while being motivated in a team driven environment aimed at developing leadership qualities.

The core objectives of the Novi Police & Fire Youth Leadership Academy are to:

1. Increase understanding through education and interaction with the Police and Fire Departments.
2. Provide positive interaction with Department staff and to educate youth about the challenges and responsibility of law enforcement and fire prevention.
3. Create and develop responsible, well-informed youth citizens and future leaders.
4. Build lasting and productive partnerships between Novi Public Safety and the community members we serve.
5. Establish lasting bonds of friendship with squad-mates and other Academy participants.

Police & Fire Youth Leadership Academy Training

What is the program format?

1. Physical Activity - Each day will include some basic physical fitness (callisthenic-style exercise), as well as activities that are aimed at keeping the students moving throughout the day, just like police and fire professionals do during their shift.
2. Team-Building Challenges -Activities that will reflect the nature of Public Safety work, which relies heavily on the team approach, will be presented throughout the week. These challenges will contain both physical and mental elements, as well as a healthy dose of communication among the squads. We will even spend an entire day at the Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center to participate in their Adventure Challenge Programs. This program involves all sorts of adventurous team-related events, including climbing, ropes course, zip-lining, etc.
3. Classroom Learning - Students will be taught by experts from the police and fire protection professions with a mix of lecture style and hands-on demonstration style learning. Topics include:

• Patrol operations
• Use of force
• K-9
• Traffic laws
• Traffic stops
• Judicial system
• Digital forensics
• Aviation
• Crime scene investigation
• Fire Department operations
• Confined spaces rescue
• CPR
• Home fire/emergency safety
• Jaws of life

The Novi Youth Police & Fire Leadership Academy is intended for students who possess an interest in police and/or fire protection sciences.

The class size will not exceed 30 students. It could be fewer. Therefore, applicants must meet the following qualifications, as well as demonstrate they are highly motivated to learn about these fields and participate in what this camp offers. Please do not apply for the program for child care, or scholarship community involvement requirement purposes.

The program, requirements, and application process are different than prior years. So please carefully consider the following criteria and instructions.

• Novi residents or students who attend a school in the City of Novi (priority will be given to Novi residents).
• Students entering 6th grade through 10th grade
• Teens interested in, and enthused about, Public Safety professions

• Each student should prepare and attach an essay with their application (see below instructions).
• Arrange for a letter of recommendation, from a school official, to be emailed prior to the close of the registration period (see below instructions).

We are no longer accepting applications.

• The program dates: July 15-19, 2024
• Students can apply until June 13, 2024.
• Applicants who do not include an essay with their application or have their letter of recommendation received by June 13, 2024 will not be considered further.

• The program will commence on July 15, 2024. Students can apply until June 13, 2024.

In order to determine the interest level and enthusiasm of perspective students for the Novi Youth Police & Fire Leadership Academy, interested students should submit a self-composed essay with their application.

• Essays should be neatly hand written, or typed (preferably), and included as an attachment with the on-line application (PDF or Word .doc formats only).
• Essays must be a minimum of 400 words.
• Hint—A well written essay will address: (1) why the student is passionate about attending the Academy; (2) what unique qualities the student can offer to their team of peers if selected for the Academy; and (3) what sort of leadership skills the student hopes to learn and take back to their community (i.e. school, neighborhood, family, etc.) after completing the Academy.

Applicants will need to arrange a letter of recommendation on their behalf, describing why they would be a positive addition to the Academy.

• Letters should be from a school official (i.e. teacher, counselor, or administrator), a coach, or non-family adult that knows the applicant well. 
• Letters can be in email form, but must be from the official domain reflecting the school, church, or civic organization that the author is with (such as novik12.org, or cityofnovi.org). Please, no personal email accounts.
• Letters can be emailed to Detective Julie Warren or submitted with your online application.