TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Learning life skills through training from the Tallahassee Police Department; that's exactly how some area high school students are spending a week of their summer.
Since 2009, the TPD's Tactical Apprehension and Control team has been putting on the T.A.C. Students Summer Academy Leadership Program. Students go through training exercises like a mock crime scene, try out tactical equipment, and learn life lessons from a swat team during the free, week-long summer program.
"I actually was surprised by all the stuff that they do," said Carly Butler, a sophomore at Lincoln High School.
"That's the draw, to have an actual SWAT team give instruction and use some of the equipment," said Steve Damm, the T.A.C. Students program coordinator.
Students even get to try out thermal and night vision goggles, but the goal isn't just to play around with the equipment. They actually learn communication skills in the process.
"They do drills where someone is blindfolded and they have to get them through a very difficult obstacle course, so they learn you can't just tell someone to lift their hand up without telling them exactly how high. It's very, very challenging," said Damm.
It's a challenge students like Butler are up for.
"Whatever profession I go into, if I ever want to be a leader, [I'm] going have to know how to tell them what to do if [I] want it done right,' said Butler.
If you want more info about the program, call the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or click here.
