The National Roles for Youth in Public Safety

This chapter considers both unsalaried and paid employment experiences for youth related to public safety organizations functioning at the national level. The achievement of the promises of community policing may be enhanced by involving young people in constructive work experiences so they may be more capable of resisting crime and disorder. Organizations with a national reach can provide numerous resources for accomplishing these purposes. For example, on an entirely unsalaried basis, youthful citizens may support national efforts for disaster relief by volunteering with the American Red Cross or by helping to rebuild a house in a natural disaster zone through Habitat for Humanity. In addition, there are opportunities for youth to learn leadership skills and about the work of different federal agencies by volunteering their time: in the FEMA Corps; as Civil Air Patrol Cadets; in school-based Junior ROTC units; through 4-H Clubs; at American Red Cross chapters; as members of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC); serving in the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC); and as participants in the U.S. Customs Border Protection Explorer program. Moreover, college students (undergraduate or graduate) have opportunities to serve in internships with a wide range of federal agencies. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) for youth 15–18 provides work experiences at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries. Youth safety and protection laws are also explored.