Superintendent Michael Harrison is searching for a group of driven incoming high school seniors from throughout Orleans Parish to be a part of the Youth Advisory Council. The application process is open until May 31, 2018. Students can complete the application process here: http://goo.gl/J3JVdB
The New Orleans Police Department and the YAC will work together to build a stronger relationship between youth and law enforcement. Students will have the opportunity to gather input from their classmates and communities to identify issues and devise solutions. Students will be required to
- Attend the regular Youth Advisory Council meetings with the Superintendent to offer input and ideas for our city's vision for policing
- Assist in creating a program for collecting feedback for our vision with your peers
- Participate in a final presentation of the Youth Advisory Council's work at the end of the school year
The current group of students in the YAC recently invited NOPD officers to Benjamin Franklin High School one afternoon to have lunch, and to discuss some of their concerns and fears surrounding law enforcement. See full video here.
Officers were able to hear directly from students about their perception of police officers. Both the students and the officers engaged in conversation about reconciliation within our community. Officers also provided students with tips they should know to avoid a negative experience when encountering a police officer, “State your name and tell the officer about yourself - what school you attend, what activities you’re involved in. This way an officer will be more inclined to give you a warning, or let you go, if it is something minor,” said Daniel Bagneris, Violent Offender Warrant Squad detective.
The Youth Advisory Council is open to incoming high school seniors from any Orleans Parish school. The next Youth Advisory Council event will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Edna Karr High School at 10 a.m. Students will have an opportunity to identify current issues and work toward effective solutions.