BUCKHANNON, WV- The Buckhannon Police Department has announced that its youth academy, scheduled for July 13 through 17, has filled all its spots, while the department works to rebuild a volunteer program that has dwindled down to only a handful of members, Police Chief Matt Gregory told the city council at its June 17 meeting, My Buckhannon reports.
The program filled its quota up to 24 pre-teens and teens between the ages of 11 and 16 years old, Gregory said. The program is returning after a seven-year hiatus, he said.
“We passed our deadline so we are set for July 13 through 17,” the chief said. “We have 24 that are signed up for the academy, and they range in age from 11 to 16 years old.
The program is a week long and is led by Officer Dylan Major. It is a hands-on program, including activities such as K9 demonstrations and mock crime scenes. Gregory invited council members to come by and see the academy in action.
“If you’re free, you’re more than welcome to stop by and take part in the Youth Police Academy,” he told council members.
The department is also looking to fill its Volunteers in Police Service program, known as VIPS which at one time had 12 members at the start of 2025. It has dwindled down to four or five active members, he said.
“VIPS is down to about four or five active members, and we’d like to see a revitalization of the numbers,” Gregory said. “We’re always accepting applications. Anybody who is interested in volunteering, they’re encouraged to contact myself or the police department for more information to get an application.”
VIPS are volunteers who assist officers, although they don’t have enforcement authority. They provide traffic control, and serve as a liaison between police and the community at public events. The council update came after a council member asked Chief Gregory if anyone new was signing up for the program. He said there are a couple of applications out and he is waiting for them to be brought back.
Buckhannon city recorder Randy Sanders said he would help push the program, calling the work a “great service.”
Gregory also updated the council on joint training, noting the department is working with Upshur County sheriff’s deputies on joint de-escalation training on July 7 at the Public Safety Complex. The session is being hosted by the sheriff’s office, and staff from both agencies will receive the same instruction.
“We look at putting all our respective stags through this training,” Gregory said.
He noted that de-escalation training is already covered extensively during use-of-force training throughout the year.
Comments