Coneys for a Cause – Support MPPD’s Youth Services Unit

The community can enjoy $1.99 coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County during Coneys for a Cause. This event is scheduled for August 11-15, 2025, at the Pixie Restaurant (302 N. Mission Street).

The Pixie will donate to the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit (YSU) 100% of the profits for every coney sold.

Customers can purchase individual coney dogs for $1.99 at the restaurant, or they can pre-order a minimum of one dozen coney dogs to be delivered. All delivery orders must be submitted before 3 p.m. on August 1 and emailed to dmaclean@inspiredcpts.com. Delivery times are between 10 a.m. and noon, August 11 – 15. Event organizers will do their best to meet the desired delivery time.

Order forms can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/ysu.

The “Pixie Pig Out” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Pixie. Stop by to watch this friendly coney-eating competition between law enforcement agencies.

Youth Services Unit (Mt. Pleasant Police Department)

This valuable program involves police positively interacting with youth at an early age. Two YSU Officers serve more than 3,000 K-12 students in the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools (MPPS), providing guidance and support for students, ultimately forming lifelong bonds. The popular Youth Police Academy, as well as Shop with a Cop, are just a few of the programs YSU hosts.

Mt. Pleasant Youth Police Academy Accepting Applications

The 23^rd Youth Police Academy is scheduled for July 8 – 25, 2024, (Monday – Thursday) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This free program offers youth, going into grades 6-8, who have an interest in law enforcement, an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials.

Mt. Pleasant Police Officers conduct the program in the manner of a real police academy with values such as teamwork, integrity, compassion, and discipline being stressed. Cadets are required to participate in physical training and complete the same agility tests given to recruits during a standard police academy.

In addition to physical training, the daily curriculum includes hands-on learning, field trips and demonstrations by specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9 and DNR. Classroom topics encompass crime scene investigations, traffic stops, marine patrol activities, firearms safety, first aid and CPR, and much more.

Applications are now available at Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 3, 2024.

Mt. Pleasant Youth Police Academy Accepting Applications

The Youth Services Police Academy is scheduled for July 10 – 27, 2023, (Monday – Thursday) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This free program offers youth, going into grades 6-8 who have an interest in law enforcement, an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials.

Mt. Pleasant Police Officers conduct the program in the manner of a real police academy with values such as teamwork, integrity, compassion and discipline being stressed. Cadets are required to participate in physical training and complete the same agility tests given to recruits during a standard police academy.

In addition to physical training, the daily curriculum includes: hands-on learning, field trips and demonstrations by specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9 and DNR. Classroom topics encompass crime scene investigations, traffic stops, marine patrol activities, defensive driving techniques, firearms safety, first aid and CPR, and much more.

Applications are now available at Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, during 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 2, 2023.

Mt. Pleasant Youth Police Academy Graduates 21st Class

Cadets from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s 21^st Youth Police Academy recently celebrated their graduation with their law enforcement mentors, family and friends. Those in attendance enjoyed comments from academy leader Officer Josh Theisen, and retired educator and coach Denny LaFleur who served as keynote speaker.

For the past three weeks these sixth through eighth grade cadets learned what it takes to become a law enforcement official; integrity, trust, leadership, compassion, and the ability to quickly assess a situation. All of this is in addition to the rigorous physical requirements of the job. By completing a series of hands-on training sessions and classroom instruction, cadets realized how much knowledge and fitness a police officer must possess to perform their job.

Cadet Andrew Moutsatson, Mt. Pleasant Middle School 6^th grader shared, “During the academy I learned to believe in myself and push through challenging tasks. I was surprised at the many responsibilities a police officer has, and all of the paperwork they have to complete. It was very nice of the police officers to take time to teach us,” he continued. “They were all very kind, caring and helpful. I know Officer Theisen will be there to help me with many things when I am in the middle school.”

Mt. Pleasant Middle School 8^th grader Chloe Churchman graduated from the academy last year and returned this year as a cadet instructor. She originally learned about the academy through her school. “The Youth Police Academy made me a better person due to its discipline and challenges it provided,” Chloe stated. “The police officers teaching the academy are real people and they are very kind, considerate and caring. Besides learning so much about law enforcement, it was wonderful to get to know the officers personally, and know they are here to help us in so many ways.”

The Youth Police Academy is a free program which offers sixth to eighth grade youth an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials. Applications for this summer program are distributed through the schools in May and also available at the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, Mt. Pleasant.

Gratitude is extended to the Central Michigan University Police Department, Isabella County Sheriff Department, Michigan State Police, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, Saginaw Police Department, DNR, MMR, Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch who also shared their expertise with the cadets throughout this program.

Accepting Applications for 21st Youth Services Police Academy

The 21^st Youth Services Police Academy is scheduled for July 11 – 28, 2022, (Monday – Thursday) from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This free program offers youth, going into grades 6-8 who have an interest in law enforcement, an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials.

Applications are now available at the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, during 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 10, 2022.