Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) - Chief Terrence Green, along with officers and staff members of the Lexington Police Department, welcomed middle school students from throughout the Midlands for National Groundhog Job Shadow Day on Monday. This day allows students to take a break from their regular school day to work alongside professionals who demonstrate what their job entails after they’ve completed their primary education and gone to work. Most professionals who are shadowed still train and receive more education throughout their careers, and police officers certainly aren’t an exception.
Monday, the students spent the day learning about the work of law enforcement officers. They took a tour of the Lexington Police Department and watched presentations by the Patrol Division, the K-9 Unit, and the Emergency Services Team (E.S.T.). They were even given an opportunity to work through a crime scene scenario with detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division.
The afternoon session was spent learning the judicial side of the career. The students participated in a scenario involving the 11th Circuit Solicitor's Office. This included a visit with Municipal Court Judge Brian Jeffcoat and the Town of Lexington’s attorney, Cliff Koon.
At the end of the day, each child was presented with a certificate from Chief Terrence Green. It’s a great reminder of the day they spent with the men and women who protect Lexington and keep it safe on a daily basis.
The students who participated in the Lexington Police Department’s job shadowing opportunity didn’t have to brown bag their lunch. The Mellow Mushroom provided a free, delicious pizza lunch for the students who participated in National Groundhog Job Shadow Day with the officers of the Lexington Police Department.
At the end of the day, the students went home with a head full of knowledge about what police officers face every time they sign on for a shift. Of course, they also went home with their stomachs full of great pizza too!
