Local teens getting a taste of the law from the inside out

Academy participants, clockwise from top left, Mikah Smith, Denzel Soule, James Gannon III, Jessica Viel and Joshua Knox. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - Five teenagers from Rochester and Milton recently participated in New Hampshire's Police Cadet Training Academy, including one from Milton who currently volunteers time with the Rochester Police Department in their prosecution division, the Rochester Police Department announced on Friday.

The academy is a program of the state's Police Chief's Association where youngsters ages 14-20 participate in a weeklong residential paramilitary law enforcement training experience.

This year from the Rochester area there were five participants of a total of 142 cadets.

They were Joshua Knox, 14, Denzel Soule, 14, Mikah Smith, 14, and James Gannon III, 15, all of Rochester; and Jessica Viel, 18, of Milton.

Viel completed her advanced, second year at the academy. She is currently a member of the Rochester Police Department Explorer Post and volunteers in the department's prosecution division.

The Rochester participants all completed their basic, first year at the academy.

For his outstanding work, Soule received the Soucy Award for his determination and improvement throughout the week, for which he will be able to return for a second year of the program free of charge.

Gannon received the Renne Forcier Scholarship at graduation for his exemplary performance.

All five will be invited to an upcoming City of Rochester Police Commission meeting where they we be recognized for their efforts and participation in the program and for an outstanding job of representing the City of Rochester as well as the Rochester Police Department, a Rochester Police press release on Friday noted.

Started in 1973, the academy has grown in size and has three separate academy classes for cadets: Basic, first year, 100 cadets; Advanced, second year, 30 cadets; and Leadership, third year, 18 cadets. The Leadership level is for those with strong interests in entering a career in law enforcement or the military.