Lafayette County Sheriff's Office launches Youth Academy for local fifth, sixth graders

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office is using its Youth Academy as a hands-on pipeline for local fifth- and sixth-graders, with registration limited to 50 students and sign-up forms available at Lafayette County Upper Elementary. The program was built around a simple goal: give children an early, practical look at law enforcement and community safety before middle school decisions and discipline problems can harden into bigger issues.

The sheriff’s office said the last day to sign up was May 20, or sooner if 50 students enrolled. That narrow cap made the academy more selective than a typical summer activity, and it placed the focus on a specific age group that often benefits most from structure, supervision and positive adult attention. The academy was held on the Lafayette County School campus, keeping it close to the students it was designed to reach.

In its camp format, the Youth Academy ran for a week and moved beyond tours or speeches. Campers heard from investigators McDonald and Dyer, then took part in a mock crime scene exercise that let them see how evidence work begins. The sheriff’s office also brought in its SWAT team, giving students a look at a unit many know only from television or headlines.

The academy’s outreach reached beyond enforcement tactics. Campers spent time with K-9 Rip and Louc, adding a side of the job that tends to capture younger students quickly, while Dr. Ross spoke to the group about dental care. The final day included a water day, a sign the program was designed to keep the week active and child-centered rather than purely instructional.

Sheriff Joey East is listed by Lafayette County as the county sheriff, and the department operates from 711 Jackson Ave. East in Oxford. Lafayette County Government says the sheriff’s office is responsible for law enforcement in the county and administration of the county jail, making youth outreach part of a broader public-safety mission that extends well beyond patrol work.

The Youth Academy fits into a wider pattern of youth-focused efforts in Lafayette County, alongside D.A.R.E. programming and student recognition initiatives. For a county where trust in local institutions matters, the program offered a concrete way for children to meet deputies, investigators and working dogs before the first real crisis ever arrives.