CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Chicopee Police Youth Cadet Academy is underway from the Boys & Girls Club through a partnership between the police department and support of the Shannon Safety Grant. 

On Monday, the kids got a visit from Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. The 25 participants got the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the opportunities within local and state police departments. The academy is open to Chicopee residents, students and Boys & Girls Club members.

The kids say they learned a lot from the air wing and the academy will help them think more about their future plans.

"It's bigger than I thought it was. In the sky it is really small," said 12-year-old Elvin Dejesus.

Kenneth Dinjian, a trooper and tactical flight officer with Mass State Police Air Wing, helped answer questions that the youth had.

"We all started out as regular police officers in the town we grew up, went onto state, this was always kind of our dream job and we just kept after it, kept pursuing it and we got it," Dinjian said. "And if anyone in this group wants to be one, all they have to do is keep working at it and keep trying."

Kaithlyne Rodriguez, a 14-year-old going into high school this fall said this opportunity is helping her for her future plans.

"I want to be a detective when I grow up and obviously before you are a detective, you have to be a police officer," Rodriguez said. "So I wanted to see how I would feel being a police officer and if I like it."

The youth cadet academy runs through July 30.