Florence high schoolers can apply for a five-week police academy covering drone operations, SWAT demonstrations, crash reconstruction and more.

The Florence Police Department is accepting applications for its 2026 Teen Academy, according to the city's website. The program runs each Wednesday from Oct. 21 through Nov. 18 at the Florence Government Center, Community Room C, 8100 Ewing Blvd. Sessions meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The academy is open to students in grades 9 through 12. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. No specific application deadline has been announced.

Each week covers a different topic. The lineup includes DUI enforcement, crash reconstruction, crime scene investigation, response to resistance, drone operation, hostage negotiation, a K-9 demonstration and SWAT team operations.

The department described the program as giving students hands-on training and real-world demonstrations of how officers carry out daily duties.

This is the second straight year Florence has offered the academy. Mayor Julie Aubuchon highlighted the program's return at the city's Dec. 16, 2025, year-end meeting, listing it alongside the department's Governor's Award for DUI enforcement.

The Teen Academy dates to former Police Chief Tom Grau, who created it as a diversion program for first-time youth offenders. At a March 26, 2024, city council meeting honoring Grau's retirement, Mayor Aubuchon called it "a groundbreaking program diverting youth offenders from the criminal justice system."

At the July 28 city council meeting, Police Chief Jeff Mallery said the department planned to add bicycle safety to the Teen Academy curriculum.

To apply, students must submit a form that includes parent or guardian contact information and a written response explaining their interest. Both the student and a parent or guardian must sign. The application is available on the city's website.

Families can call the Florence Police Department at 859-647-5420 for more information.