MHS Students Receive Certificates of Training from the PA State Police
A group of 30 Milton Hershey School high school students recently received Certificates of Training from the Pennsylvania State Police after participating in the PA State Police Youth and Law Enforcement Training Forum. These students are part of the Law, Public Safety, and Security career pathway at MHS and had the opportunity to collaborate with state troopers and state police cadets in training.
Throughout the training forum, students reflected on the relationship between law enforcement and youth. They learned how to recognize cultural and developmental differences between adolescent and adult behavior to help improve relationships between youth and law enforcement.
“Our students and the police cadets in training participated in role-playing exercises with the cadets acting as youth and the youth acting as future state troopers,” said Paul Gaspich, a Law, Public Safety, and Security instructor at MHS. “Both sides learned valuable lessons throughout the day, and the role-playing exercises helped drive home the importance of communication and perception.”
Through large group panel discussions and small group sessions, students shared their experiences and asked law enforcement officers questions about their careers.
Milton Hershey School’s Law, Public Safety, and Security career pathway is one of 12 concentrations offered through the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Through hands-on learning opportunities, industry-recognized certifications, and partnerships with local organizations like the Pennsylvania State Police, MHS students gain professional experience in their industry of choice.