What would entice a bunch of middle school students to spend six Friday nights with a bunch of police officers? The Hinsdale Police Department knows: ride-alongs, crime scenes, fingerprinting, SWAT equipment and a drug-sniffing, suspect-tracking K-9 dog.
For 13 Clarendon Hills Middle School and Hinsdale Middle School students, the Junior Police Academy program was Hinsdale’s version of a live detective drama with audience participation.
This first-time program led by officers Mike Coughlin and Mark Keller featured serious topics presented in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Cathy Siracusa, mom of CHMS six-grader Frank Siracusa, was thrilled with the program.
“These kids would come home on Friday nights with big smiles on their faces. They really loved it,” she said. “Each time they would get some surprise.”
The Hinsdale Police Department has conducted a Citizens Academy for adult community members for six years. Coughlin thought a program for kids would be an opportunity for education.
“A lot of kids think of the police as they see them on TV,” Coughlin said.
One of the Friday evening classes featured a mock crime scene with clues including a glass with lipstick on it and a shoe print. Students lifted fingerprints and identified the guilty party, who was none other than Coughlin. Another Friday class included individually scheduled ride-alongs. The students toured the cells, tried on handcuffs and watched officers at the shooting range. The two-and-a-half hour classes were packed with activities and demonstrations.
On the final evening March 16, sitting at blue conference tables in a basement classroom of the Hinsdale Police Department, the students listened intently to SWAT officer Louis Hayes, a nine-year veteran, including seven years on the Felony Investigative Assistance Team SWAT team, who brought his equipment and gear for a hands-on show-and-tell session.
Hayes talked to the group about when each tool was used and how it worked. Some tools were passed around the room but even more exciting, after the demonstration, the students gathered around to hold the M4 rifle and 40mm multi-launcher, try on the 35 pound ballistic vest, and swing the battering ram.
Hayes also demonstrated a Remington Eye Infrared camera that can be tossed into a room to give officers a live view of the interior. He tossed two balls into the classroom and when some students moved in close to get a better look, Hayes and the other students then got a closer look at them on the live monitor. Only the introduction of a four-legged guest and a pizza break distracted the students from the unique police tools.
The evening’s second speaker was officer Dave Gaddis of the Willowbrook Police Department and his K-9 partner Icha, a 2-year-old Belgium Malmois trained in narcotics detection and tracking. Icha lives with Gaddis and, while at home she is just a normal puppy, Icha is far from a normal pet when working. She can run 40 mph and knock a 200-pound subject to the ground, even though she weighs only 65 pounds herself. Ask Coughlin, who has “played” the bad guy in past K-9 demonstrations.
Icha, born in Belgium, came to the Willowbrook Police Department in June 2006 as their first canine member. Her year-long training with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department included drug detection, tracking and for article, area and building searches.
Her first Hinsdale assignment was a car break-in. So how does a dog investigate a car burglary?
“She can find anyone who takes off on foot,” Gaddis said.
Icha’s first mission was a success.
Gaddis used a story to illustrate the value of a canine officer. Icha had a tracking assignment at Hinsdale South High School. In little more than an hour, Icha accomplished what would have taken multiple officers over four hours. As a bonus, she also identified a number of lockers containing drugs.
To demonstrate Icha’s skills for the students, Gaddis hid some narcotics in the classroom. Once he transferred Icha’s leash from her training collar to her thick leather working collar, she was on the job and identified the location of the drugs immediately. From her transformation as excited puppy to aggressive work dog, to her sharp, rapid barking with her eyes fixed on a particular drawer, her message was clear.
The Junior Police Academy may look like an traditional classroom program, but as the students who graduated March 16 can tell you, the program is quite remarkable, thanks to the efforts of officers Keller, Coughlin and many others.
“It was fun,” Frank said.
Ideas and items for Hometown Hinsdale can be sent to Michelle Geoga at
MGeoga@gmail.com.
