Centre County Law Day
By: Adam Paluka
Updated: April 29, 2010
BELLEFONTE, CENTRE COUNTY - Fifth graders get to learn about everything from finger printing to field sobriety tests at “Law Day” at the Centre County Courthouse.
Most importantly, organizers said, is the chance for students to ask questions about police work and the laws they follow. It is also a chance for local cops to make a lasting connection.
Close to 100 Park Forest Elementary fifth graders spread out in Centre County's Annex Courtroom Thursday.
They are learning first hand how local cops keep them safe.
“We want them to be familiar and comfortable with their local law enforcement and we also want to educate them on what we can and can't do,” Sergeant Ryan Hendrick of the Ferguson
The big misconception the students have is that crime solving in real life takes as long as an episode of CSI.
“They think that we can solve the crimes in thirty or sixty minutes, and it was very nice to have the opportunity to explain to them that it takes a little bit longer, and there's a lot more to it,” Hendrick said.
Police officers and Centre County Judge Brad Lunsford make sure law day caters specifically to ten year olds.
“5th grade, first of all in terms of curriculum, it matches what they are learning, but they are at an age where they are impressionable,” Judge Lunsford said.
Every professional at “Law Day” volunteers his or her time. Just maybe, those hours will put one of these kids behind the badge or the bench in 2030.
“I just remember when I was younger, and in school, the opportunities that I had when public servants came to talk to me. One of those public servants actually inspired me to do what I am doing today,” Lunsford said.
200 kids from three schools will participate in “Law Day” this year. Judge Lunsford said different schools come each year so that students from across the county get the benefit hands on police training
Most importantly, organizers said, is the chance for students to ask questions about police work and the laws they follow. It is also a chance for local cops to make a lasting connection.
Close to 100 Park Forest Elementary fifth graders spread out in Centre County's Annex Courtroom Thursday.
They are learning first hand how local cops keep them safe.
“We want them to be familiar and comfortable with their local law enforcement and we also want to educate them on what we can and can't do,” Sergeant Ryan Hendrick of the Ferguson
The big misconception the students have is that crime solving in real life takes as long as an episode of CSI.
“They think that we can solve the crimes in thirty or sixty minutes, and it was very nice to have the opportunity to explain to them that it takes a little bit longer, and there's a lot more to it,” Hendrick said.
Police officers and Centre County Judge Brad Lunsford make sure law day caters specifically to ten year olds.
“5th grade, first of all in terms of curriculum, it matches what they are learning, but they are at an age where they are impressionable,” Judge Lunsford said.
Every professional at “Law Day” volunteers his or her time. Just maybe, those hours will put one of these kids behind the badge or the bench in 2030.
“I just remember when I was younger, and in school, the opportunities that I had when public servants came to talk to me. One of those public servants actually inspired me to do what I am doing today,” Lunsford said.
200 kids from three schools will participate in “Law Day” this year. Judge Lunsford said different schools come each year so that students from across the county get the benefit hands on police training
