Flint Teen Boys Graduate from MSP Leadership Academy

Fourteen young men from Flint graduated from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Leadership Youth Academy on Friday. The program is designed to inspire teens to recognize their potential, be leaders and mentors in their communities and develop personal character through partnerships with law enforcement.

During the week-long academy, held at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing, officers from the MSP and Flint Police Department served as mentors and classroom instructors. Lessons focused on the "Keys for Character" which include Service, Integrity, Excellence, Courtesy and Pride; teaching the cadets how to apply these "Keys" to their everyday lives in an effort to have a positive impact on their nation, state, community, schools, homes and personal lives.

Some of the areas of instruction included physical training, ethics, first aid, emergency preparedness and other team and character building exercises. Cadets also received presentations by specialized units of the MSP and a tour of the State Capitol.

The MSP has been hosting the Leadership Academy program since 2005. Nearly 900 teens have attended the federally funded program.