The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Colorado Springs Police Department, completed two sessions of the 2025 Teen Academy earlier this month. The immersive four-day program gave 100 local students a hands-on introduction to law enforcement operations, highlighting both the challenges and the rewards of public service.
Held at Vista Ridge High School from June 2–5 and June 9–12, the Teen Academy provided young adults with a unique opportunity to engage directly with law enforcement professionals from across the region. The curriculum included presentations and interactive activities involving Patrol Operations, SWAT/TEU, K-9, Mounted Unit, Explosives Unit, Criminal Investigations, Crime Lab, Search and Rescue, drone operations, and crisis negotiations.
To qualify, students were required to be between the ages of 13 and 18, reside in El Paso County, and either be entering high school in the fall or graduate in 2025.
“Our Teen Academy helps students gain a deeper understanding of the complex, highly detailed work done by local law enforcement,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “By allowing them to participate in realistic scenarios and observe specialized units, we hope to inspire future leaders and build lasting trust between youth and our agencies.
“I thank my School Resources Officers, led by Sergeant Josie Haag, and our partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department, for their dedication to this important event and the students and schools they serve.”
In addition to field instruction, students had the option to earn three college credit hours through Pikes Peak State College. Those who chose this opportunity were required to complete an additional 12 hours of learning time, a commitment which was broadly accepted by the majority of participants.
Two outstanding students—one from each session—were recognized with $500 scholarships after submitting top-scoring essays on their Academy experience.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office maintains a strong connection to local schools through its School Resource Officers, who serve in Widefield School District 3, Falcon School District 49, Lewis-Palmer School District 38, Ellicott School District 22, and Hanover School District 28.
