CINCINNATI — Students are getting a firsthand look at the day in the life of a police officer.

For the first time since the pandemic began, the Cincinnati Police Department hosted middle school and high school students for Junior Achievement Job Shadowing Day at Xavier University. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cincinnati Police hosted close to 200 students from greater Cincinnati for a job shadowing opportunity 

  • The purpose of the event is to get students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement

  • The officers also get a chance to build a positive relationship with students 

  • CPD plans to host more community outreach efforts over the next few months
​​Close to 200 students from schools around Cincinnati learned what it’s like to be a police officer. 

One of those students is Braylen McFadgen from Clark Montessori Middle School. McFadgen had a slew of questions for the officers in the different departments. 

“It’s fun to hear about their stories and what they’ve been through,” McFadgen said. “Some things that they use, and some of the weapons they use are interesting to see who they get to these crimes.” 

He’s never thought about becoming a police officer, but is open to the idea.  

“I think it’s very beneficial and very fun because you get to learn a bunch of things about police officers, make new connections with people you might work with if you wanna go there,” he said. 

The Cincinnati Police Department’s Youth Services unit is hopeful this event sparked interest in a potential career in law enforcement. 

Cincinnati Police Youth Program Coordinator Eddie Hawkins thinks they’re hitting that mark. 

“I think a lot of young people are like: ‘You know what, that might be something I wanna try.’ We know everybody doesn’t like the police, we get it,” Hawkins said. “But if you come in, you’re looking at SWAT, you’re looking at K-9, you’re like man, that’s a job?” 

Hawkins said the outreach event shows kids that officers are just like them — growing up in similar neighborhoods and attending the same schools. 

“lt's just really all of us,” Hawkins said. “It’s police and community — it’s us as a whole.” 

McFadgen is about to hit high school next year, so he’s got plenty of time to decide on a career. But for now, he has a better appreciation for the work police do every day. 

“I think it helps boost everybody's opinion because everybody is out having fun, talking, chillin’ and just giving everybody a great mindset to go on,” McFadgen said.

The Cincinnati Police Department’s Youth Services unit plans to hold several other outreach events over the next few months.