BAY MINETTE, Ala. — North Baldwin County youth who may be thinking about careers in law enforcement can get a taste of it next month during the upcoming Bay Minette Police Department Youth Police Academy.

Ages 12-17 can participate in the program that is scheduled to be held 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each Saturday in August at the police department training room, according to information provided by the Bay Minette Police Department’s website.

But potential participants don’t have much time left to sign up for the free course, as applications are due by Friday. According to Pam Thompson of the Bay Minette Police Department, they are available at the department, which is located at 300 Hoyle Ave. In addition, applications can be downloaded at the department’s page at www.cityofbayminette.org.

The classes, in which space is limited, will be held each Saturday in August. According to information provided by the police department, participants will receive a T-shirt and ball cap. Lunch will also be provided during each session.

The academy’s program focuses more on career introduction than physical training, according to a police department news release.

“This is not a ‘boot camp,’ and all interested youth are encouraged to apply,” the release stated. “The Bay Minette Police Department Youth Police Academy … exposes them (students) to the type of training, procedures and technology used by today’s police officers. The academy gives these ‘cadets’ the opportunity to learn respect for the law by providing them positive interaction with professionals in a variety of public-service organizations and motivating them to be outstanding citizens through law-enforcement education. Cadets will experience hands-on training in a wide variety of law-enforcement techniques.”

For more information, call 580-2559.