NEW IBERIA, La. ( ) — Nearly are incarcerated daily in the United States. Local law enforcement is helping keep that number down here in Acadiana through junior officer programs in elementary schools.

Johnston Hopkins Elementary School in New Iberia aims to deter its students from committing crimes when they're older by building positive relationships with police while they are young.

As part of today's lesson, New Iberia Police invited Louisiana State Police as a guest speaker, who flew a helicopter to Johnston Hopkins' campus.

Cpl. Christine Clark-Gammage, the coordinator for the New Iberia Police Department's Junior Officer Academy, said the 10-week program teaches the cadets what police do for the community.

"It is basically bridging the gap between law enforcement and our youth in the community so that they can get a better understanding of what we do," Gammage said.

She said teaching them to respect law enforcement while they're young is also teaching them to respect the law when they're older.

"I think starting them young is a good, good idea because so many kids are taught to like fear the police," Gammage said. "Every time I see them, they either run away or they feel like they can't approach us. So, I think starting this program and reaching them really young helps them to appreciate and respect law enforcement more."

Gammage remembers how similar school programs made a difference in her life. She said her D.A.R.E. instructor, who inspired her to become an officer, became her lieutenant when she became an officer.

"I pray one day that my kids will remember who I am, what I poured into them, and they go into law enforcement and do the same job that I do," Gammage said.

"If I can't reach them all, as long as I reach just one, that would suffice for me," Corporal Gammage said. "You know, because so often we try to- we be so hard on ourselves, where we can't get all of them to understand and to take away what we've taught. But if I can reach just one, that it's good enough for me."

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