Police Lt. Sherrill teaches at youth leadership program
By Mike Berger
Canton Police Lt. Patty Sherrill was a guest teacher and counselor at the National Youth Leadership Program at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.
Canton Police Lieutenant Patty Sherrill spent part of her summer teaching life choices, ethics, and the importance of making good decisions to youths from all over the United States and beyond at the National Youth Leadership Program held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
A graduate of the FBI Police Officer Command program, Lt. Sherrill was the only New England police officer and one of only two law enforcement officials in the country selected for this summer program. A total of 60 students, including international students, participated in this year’s program.
Lt. Sherrill will serve as a counselor/instructor for the next three years. It was her second time applying for the program, which examined her police record, her letters of recommendation, and past speaking engagements. Within the Canton Police Department, Lt. Sherrill is in charge of the domestic violence program and community policing activities.
This is the 14th year that the FBI National Academy Associates has sponsored a leadership academy. The program encompasses participation in academics, social interaction, and physical environment. Developing leadership skills is the focal point of the training program.
According to Lt. Sherrill, “It is not a summer camp, boot camp, or seminar. The program focuses on inspiring our future leaders toward a possible law enforcement career.”
The program is available to incoming sophomores or juniors (14-16 years old) with a direct relationship to a National Academy graduate. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 or better. Students are selected as part of regional groups. The New England chapter is allotted one slot for the program. Though students who are interested in a future career in law enforcement are urged to apply, the program is open to students who want to expand their knowledge of the American criminal justice system.
For nine days, the students lived in a Quantico dormitory and participated in classes and physical activities while also networking with their peers and counselors.
A typical day began at 5:30 a.m. with physical training, including running, pushups and sit-ups. Following breakfast, classes would start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.
After dinner, Lt. Sherrill met with a group of eight students who had been assigned to her and discussed professions as well as the books that they had been assigned to read. Recreational sports followed at 7:30 p.m. and lights out was at 9:30. On the weekend, students toured various historical sites, including the FBI’s Quantico facility.
Lt. Sherrill was asked to prepare a lesson plan for a two-hour class on decision making and ethics. She focused on recent news stories, including Barry Bonds and Michael Phelps in sports, Catholic priests and the sexual abuse scandal, and hazing in schools. Other topics included the Enron and Bernie Madoff scandals, the military, plagiarizing on tests, and most recently, the controversy surrounding former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner.
Her class was interactive and students shared their perceptions of various professions. Sherrill said she was surprised to hear that police officers and teachers did not rate highly.
While some students were interested in pursuing a career in police work or criminal justice, others were interested in the legal and engineering professions. But Lt. Sherrill thought the group as a whole enjoyed and respected her opinions on law enforcement.
Commenting on her eight-day experience at Quantico, Lt. Sherrill said, “I am glad I went. I found it very worthwhile. It is a privilege not only to represent the Canton Police Department, but the entire New England area of law enforcement as well. I am proud to be one of eight instructors assigned to mentor and mold our next generation of leaders.”
This group of eight students from around the country were mentored at the youth leadership program by Lt. Sherrill (far right) and Chief Inspector Gayward Hendry (far left) of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department in Green Cove Springs, FL.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=8437
Posted by Mike Berger
on Sep 28 2011. Filed under Features.
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