STATESBORO, Ga. () — Statesboro Police challenged a group of teenagers to see if they possess the qualities needed to become officers during this year’s Teen Police Academy.

When you’re a teen, choosing how to spend your summer break is a big decision.

“This is what I’m doing this summer,” said De’Andria Baldwin, a junior-to-be at Statesboro High School who is participating in the program. “It’s a change from the usual activities like local 4-H or Girl Scouts.”

Twelve teens in Bulloch County decided they wanted something different.

“This is really what I want to do,” said Baldwin.

Kinsley Culberson, who is homeschooled, remarked, “I’ve grown more interested in this, finding it quite intriguing. I realize it might be something crucial to pursue before entering my desired career field.”

Over the week they’ve learned the ins and outs of police work, from the men and women patrolling their streets.

Wednesday, they faced one of their most difficult challenges, clearing the agility training course in under two and a half minutes.

“I was really shocked, some of them really surprised me in their individual effort,” said certification manager, Lieutenant Kris Mock. “The group as a whole though, there’s just not a lot of quit. They all just wanted to try to do it.”

Since Monday, they’ve worked with Police K-9s, taken fingerprints and learned about how the policing process works.

“Seeing this locally, I’m interested in it,” said Baldwin. “Hopefully I can help people in the future.”

The Teen Police Academy is coming back to the department as they become fully employed for the first time in over a decade. Lt. Mock said they’re hoping to bridge a gap between teens and police and hopefully train the next generation.

“Maybe we’re a little bit more trustworthy to them, maybe we’re not just the guys behind the badge we’re actually people, it develops relationships and friendships and helps plant the seed and that can come out in many different ways.”