News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Youth police academy students are pictured inside a Michigan State Police helicopter. The helicopter is used by the MSP Aviation unit.

ALPENA — On Thursday, a group of local students had the chance to learn from Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers in the aviation unit and get an up-close look at a MSP helicopter.

A group of youth participated in the 7th annual youth police academy at the Alpena Community College Monday through Friday this week.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) partners with the Alpena County Sheriff’s office, Presque Isle County Sheriff’s office, Alcona County Sheriff’s office, Alpena Police Department, Rogers City Police Department, Alpena Fire Department, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources to put on the academy each year.

Trooper Jasen Sack and Lieutenant Patrick Lawrence spoke to students about what they do as part of the MSP aviation unit and answered any questions the students had. Lawrence also talked about the various functions of the helicopter, including an infrared camera.

Students lined up for a turn to sit in the helicopter and check out the inside. The group gathered for a picture, and then stood back, all smiles, as the helicopter lifted off into the sky.

The students’ enthusiasm for law enforcement was evident by the questions they asked and the conversations they had with each other and their instructors for the week. One student talked about wanting to join a mounted unit.

During the week, participants learned different things about criminal investigation and collecting evidence, MSP Alpena Post Community Service Trooper Jason Kunath said. They experienced the investigation process firsthand by reviewing a real case that’s already been solved.

The computer crimes unit came and talked to attendees about what they do. The lab came to talk about everything behind the scenes, like fingerprints, DNA testing, and drug testing. Participants saw the mobile crime lab as well, which is used for big crime scenes.

The prosecutor also came to speak about her end of the case.

Attendees learned report writing, which Kunath said may sound boring but is a fundamental aspect of law enforcement. Police reports need to be written with close attention to detail, a skill that needs to be practiced over time.

Participants also went through a defensive driving course, where they had the opportunity to drive patrol cars around the parking lot at ACC. They learned evasive maneuvers and emergency braking, among other skills.

Academy students drove MSP cars through a series of cones, climbing to high speeds and maneuvering their way through the obstacles.

Participants also had a day where it’s all scenarios, he said. A dispatcher came in, and participants received a portable radio to practice being dispatched to calls like what a law enforcement officer would experience in a typical day’s work.

Participants took field trips to the sheriff’s office, the Alpena Police Department, and the Alpena Fire Department, Kunath said. They learned first aid training and earned CPR certification by the end of the week.