Byline: Pedro Ramirez III Staff writer
Steven Amyot has wanted to be a police officer for as long as he can remember.
The 21-year-old Clay man is one step closer to that dream as he nears completion of a second phase of police academy training.
Amyot's first taste of what police work might be like was at the Junior Police Academy of Central New York in the summer of 2000.
It was the junior academy, held every summer over two weeks, that solidified Amyot's desire to go into law enforcement.
"I thought (the Junior Police Academy) would be the perfect opportunity to see what it was like," he said.
The junior academy has taught youths about law enforcement for more than 15 years. This year, the junior academy runs July17 to 28 at Hancock Field Air National Guard base.
State police Trooper Jack Keller, who has served as a junior academy instructor before, will continue in those duties this year.
"It was really, really good," Keller said. "It teaches kids a lot of the discipline you really need."
The junior academy helps youths decide whether law enforcement is a career option for them, he added.
Amyot was 16 when he went to the junior academy.
Convinced that police work was for him, Amyot joined Cicero's Explorers that fall. He graduated from Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 2003. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Onondaga Community College. Then he began police academy training.
Amyot is scheduled to complete academy training next month and begin several weeks of field training. The Cicero Police Department recently hired Amyot.
Amyot said the junior academy mirrors the real thing.
"You take a lot more tests in the real police academy," he said, "but the Junior Police Academy does give you a good taste."
Amyot serves as a volunteer staff member at the junior academy. He said about 20 youths attend each year.
Some of the skills junior cadets first learn are how to salute and march. They learn law enforcement history. In one exercise, youths are separated into groups and told they are stuck on an island and must form their own laws and punishments, Amyot said.
"It shows them how laws are made and how difficult it is to make a law," he said.
Junior cadets learn about handgun safety and watch a firearms demonstration.
"The (cadets) don't shoot any firearms," he said.
Every morning, youths also exercise. They might go on a one- or two-mile run. Some days they perform sit-ups and push-ups, he said.
The field trips are eye-opening.
They may visit the Onondaga County Justice Center jail or the Hillbrook youth detention center.
"You walk down the hall and the kids have all their shoes outside," Amyot said. "You can't even have your shoes in the room with you. It really shows you the mistakes you make, what they can lead to."
During the last part of the junior academy, cadets role-play as cops, with the instructors as bad guys.
"We throw them into... traffic stops, domestics or robberies in progress. They come into the situation and try to (make an arrest)," Amyot said.
"It's a fun two weeks," he added.
Pedro Ramirez III can be reached at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2292. For more on public safety, check out his Northchaser blog at www.syracuse.com/north/weblog/.
Want to apply?
The Junior Police Academy of Central New York is looking for teens to participate in this year's program July17 to 28 at Hancock Field Air National Guard base.
The application deadline is June2. Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 19, have at least a C average and have no more than two unexcused absences for the last marking period. Applicants must write an essay and pass a background check.
The cost for the academy is $25.
Applications are available at the Cicero Police Department, 8236 S. Main St., or at the state police barracks near Hancock Airport at 101 N. Constellation Way.
For information, call Cicero police Investigator Leslie Herrick at 699-3677 or Trooper Jack Keller at 455-2826.
PHOTO
John Berry/Staff photographer
STEVEN AMYOT (second from left) fires his Glock semiautomatic pistol during police academy weapons training at the Elbridge Rod and Gun Club this month. Amyot decided to become a police officer after attending Junior Police Academy of Central New York. The junior academy is looking for applicants for this summer's program.
The Junior Police Academy is a one week summer program designed for children (ages 9-12). Through classroom discussions, student activities and cadet handouts, the students will develop a deeper appreciation of law enforcement, while opening the door to better communication between officers and students. 
