Teen and Police Service Academy (TAPS Academy)

Program Overview and Background

The Teen and Police Service Academy provides programming to reduce the social distance between youth and police through skill-building and service-learning that benefits youth, police and community relations.

Our curriculum is accredited by the Texas Education Agency to grant one high school academic credit. Founded by the Houston Police Department, TAPS Academy gained its 501c(3) status in 2015 making it a civilian-led organization bridging the gap between youth and police.

Program Services

We provide Youth and Police services through teaching the only Minor in Youth and Police Studies at the University of Houston-Clear Lake; Trainings for youth, police and those that work with youth; Research leading the advancement of the field and Programming that is evidence-based.

Target Population

We target youth of all social and economic backgrounds but focus on those with the greatest potential of being at-risk of delinquency, school dropout, and victimization. Please see our website for more information.