Under the supervision of the Jamestown Police Department and members of its SWAT team, criminal justice students took a class on bicycle patrol and participated in the physical training course.

The additional month-long programming takes the place of an internship for the local criminal justice students.

“My overall experience of this program has been wonderful,” said Ty Pattyson, a Cassadaga Valley Central School senior, after completing the obstacle course Wednesday.

JPD Chief Harry Snellings said the program has become more than just teaching law enforcement as well by incorporating other aspects of policing including lessons in health and human services, social services, corrections and security.

Local students participated in a month-long internship program within the Erie-2 BOCES criminal justice program. Students from both the Hewes and LoGuidice educational centers met at the Jamestown Fireman's Grounds for a SWAT obstacle course and a bicycle patrol course. P-J photos by Jordan W. Patterson

“We try to make it a little more diverse and not just focus on law enforcement,” Snellings said.

Attempting to finish in under four minutes, students from both the Hewes and LoGuidice educational centers completed the training course.

Jennie Alessi, LaGuidice criminal justice teacher, said the program was created after students were having trouble securing internships within a related field. Alessi speculated that much of the difficulty involved potential liability with law enforcement occupations.

Instead, about five years ago, BOCES and JPD partnered to supply the criminal justice students with an alternative education and experience program, referred to as the “internship program.”

“(We) put together an agenda for five weeks that basically replicates a police academy,” Alessi said.

The program, replicating an academy environment, features academic and physical portions, as displayed Wednesday, to the program. Alessi said the agenda is “varied,” ensuring students experience the various roles of law enforcement personnel.

“They’re exposed to an awful lot as far as career exploration,” she said.

Students in the two-year BOCES program are required to receive a form of internship credit. The internship program serves that requirement. Beginning in April, students embarked on their journey to earning that credit, culminating with a graduation ceremony June 7.

At the police academy graduation, students are given awards for physical training, academic performance, teamwork recognition and for overall performance. Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone, District Attorney Patrick Swanson and Snellings are expected to speak at the ceremony.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Alessi said of the internship program.