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Future Careers In Law Enforcement May Begin With Explorers Summer Camp

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A future career in law enforcement for some Baltimore youngsters could begin with a day at summer camp.

Gigi Barnett explains the city launched its one-week Explorers Camp to introduce them to officers and what it's like to be on the force.

It was a test of skill under the watch of city police commissioner Anthony Batts.

The department's Explorers' one-week summer camp may be ending, but it could be the beginning to a career in law enforcement for some of these teens.

"You have a responsibility to take care of people who are weaker than you are. Whether you're at school, on a playground or anywhere else," said Commissioner Anthony Batts, Baltimore City Police Department.

Outside, the hard workout continues. It's been a week for officers to team up with teens and build bridges that could build up the future of the force.

"What this is to do is to have relationships -- better relationships -- with our community and our young people, to see those kids who may have an interest in becoming police officers and serving here," Batts said.

"It was something that they kept asking 'can we come back?' for, 'can we go again?'" said Latwone Bethea, parent

Bethea brought his four kids to the summer camp and three more from his neighborhood.

"The smiles -- especially from my daughter -- the smile that was on her face, what she enjoyed," he said.

This was the first year the department hosted the camp, but it may not be the last.

"You should see their faces. They are having a wonderful time and the police officers are having a great time, too," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. "I hope that we're going to be able to continue this."

The department hosted three one-week mini camps for 150 children.

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