Hutchinson Police Department Hosts Youth Academy for Local Students

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Police Department recently concluded its 2025 Youth Academy, providing local students with hands-on experience in law enforcement operations.

The free educational program gave participants an enriching experience with various aspects of police work, including time with dispatchers, animal control, Special Operations/Detectives, Traffic Unit, Reno County S.W.A.T., Drone Team, Crime Scene Unit and Municipal Court.

"Thank you to the youth who participated in the 2025 Hutchinson Police Department Youth Academy," the department posted on social media. "They had an enriching experience with law enforcement, learning about various aspects of our work."

The academy is designed as a free and fun educational opportunity for youth in the community to interact with officers and gain hands-on law enforcement experience. The program typically includes activities such as crime scene investigations, police vehicle demonstrations, emergency response team drills, firearms safety education and K9 demonstrations.

Students also participated in patrol operations training, crash investigations, detective work simulations and a mock municipal court trial. The comprehensive program provided tours of the Law Enforcement Center at 210 West 1st Avenue.

Gambino's Pizza of South Hutchinson donated food for the event, according to police officials.

The department credited City of Hutchinson Public Information Officer Jessica Woodyard with photographing the academy activities.

The Hutchinson Police Department's core values are honesty, integrity and professionalism. The Youth Academy represents the department's ongoing commitment to community engagement and education about law enforcement operations.

The academy is typically open to Reno County youth entering seventh grade, including home-schooled students, and provides a comprehensive look at modern police work and community safety efforts.