Youth Services Team:

• D.A.R.E.
• School Rescource Officers
• Youth Services Officer

The following services are provided by the Oviedo Police Department for the community.    

Community Service Program 

The Oviedo Police Department has an ongoing commitment to make every effort to deter juveniles from activities consistent with a life of crime. Though there are several ways this may happen, we believe teaching and giving a juvenile a sense of pride for their community is on the top of the list.  This is the reason why programs that focus on community involvement and service are so vital within a juvenile program.  The Oviedo Police Department has developed two programs to help area youth. 

Fire Setters

This is a cooperative effort with the Oviedo Fire Department and focuses on the effects of arson.  The program, developed by the the Seminole County Fire Dept. will, in cooperation with the States Attoney's Office, be mandated in some instances as conditions of the P.A.Y. and/or probation if the juvenile is arrested in an arson case.  Currently the Fire Department has a class that shows the gruesome effects of failed arson attempts and gives explanation of the dynamics of fire.  The new effort would add a Law Enforcement aspect to the process.  This program would allow us an opportunity to possibly steer juveniles toward the Explorer Program.

Youth Police Academy

The next Youth Police Academy class begins in the Spring Semester of 2008/2009. This program is open to local area high school students and can be coordinated through their high school guidance counselor.  Students attending the class will attend during their regular scheduled school day at the Oviedo Marketplace mall at the C.O.P.S. and Volunteer Center.  The academy has an age requirement of 15-18 YOA. 

1. This one (1) semester high school affiliated course will account for 75 hours needed for high school graduation.  
2. This program provides an overview of Law Enforcement and will be patterned after the Citizens Police Academy. 
3. Attendees will plan and carry out a community service project as part of the academic requirements of the class.