Teen-agers interested in learning more about life in a day of a police officer will soon have their chance, thanks to the Brookfield Police Department.

Monday night, trustees agreed to a request by Police Chief Daniel Faustino to foot $800 toward the purchase of cadet kits for a Junior Police Academy program. The department plans to start the program in mid-January.

Officer Jay First will serve as a mentor for the young cadets. He said seven teen-agers -- including two females -- have expressed an interest in signing up. The program is for ages 14 to 16.

The cadets will learn more about the importance of citizenship, community and justice skills. A beginning date has yet to be set.

Since 1992, Junior Police Academy has been bringing law enforcement into classrooms. Junior Police Academy is a non-profit organization targeting middle school and high school students and teaching them citizenship through law enforcement education. Kids are also taught to be partners in building safer schools and communities.

"Canfield and Sharon did it before, but I'm not sure about anyone else," First said.

He was approached with the idea by a sophomore who felt there was a need for the program.

Each student who attends will receive a workbook, T-shirt, patch and, eventually, a graduation certificate, First said.

Several hands-on possibilities are being discussed. For example, students may visit the 911 Call Center and Trumbull County Jail.

"We'll show them a lot of behind-the-scenes things. They'll get to see what they normally can't," First said.

The department also runs a Citizen's Academy, which is a 10-week program for adults 18 and older.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com