The Oxford Police Department is launching a new program youth program this Thursday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m. at the OPD training building.

The department’s “Youth Night” will focus on youth from age 13 up and cover a range of topics, from discussions of the day-to-day life of a patrol officer, to the gear utilized, to information about the K-9 unit.

The free event to learn about law enforcement is hosted by OPD Explorer Post 50. “We are passionate about serving and connecting to our community as best as we can, and Oxford’s youth are our future,” said Chief Jeff McCutchen of OPD.

“We want them to feel they have a place and that our department is here to serve them, too.”

OPD reportedly hopes this will be the first of many more to come. “This class is an amazing opportunity to foster relationships with the younger part of our community,” said the patrol officer heading the event, Mackenzie Rogers. 

“We want them to see what we do and see if it’s possibly a career they can be interested in down the line.”