(SALEM, OR) — Dozens of Oregon teens got a firsthand look at what it takes to work in public safety during the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Youth Academy, held June 30 at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The one-day program introduced over 40 students, ages 14 to 18, to the broad range of careers available in law enforcement, forensics, emergency services, and judicial processes.
Hosted at the state’s premier training facility for public safety professionals, the Youth Academy offered participants an immersive and educational experience. Organized into four interactive sessions, the program was designed to simulate real-world public safety scenarios and provide practical instruction from experienced professionals with the DPSST and Oregon State Police (OSP).
In a session on Crime Scene Investigation, OSP’s Forensic Services Division guided students through procedures for collecting evidence, fingerprint dusting, and DNA swabbing. Another segment, focused on K9 tracking, placed students in a mock area search exercise alongside a working OSP bloodhound as they learned how law enforcement uses canine partners in missing person investigations…