A little-known NYPD initiative is connecting the city's youngest residents with officers during summer vacation and helping to improve police-community relations. NY1's Dean Meminger took an exclusive look inside the Youth Police Academy.

Drilled by the NYPD, 2,000 kids across the city are taking part in the Summer Youth Police Academy.

"They don't want to be here. 'I want to go home.' And we do have some kids here and there crying," said Officer Myungsun Thorsten. "But after the first week, they love it."

The free six-week program is for 10- to 16-year-olds and operates at sites in each borough. The program includes motivational talks and instruction from police and school safety officers.

There are some fun activities as well, but day camp, it's not.

Chaniya Johnson, NYPD Youth Police Academy: When we do PT, that's when they get a little strict. You got to do the exercise, push-ups, all of that.
Meminger: Do you like that?
Johnson: What, the exercise? I like it, but I just don't like the push-ups.

"We're hoping that they'll gain some kind of life skills because we are trying to instill some discipline, concentration and focus," Thorsten said. "Very important things that they need to have not only at home, but also in school when they're taking tests and other things that they are doing."

"I gained a lot of discipline, respect for adults," said Kelsy Diaz of the NYPD Youth Police Academy. "I don't really disrespect my mom so much anymore."

Although this summer youth program has been going on for many years, it is still considered a hidden gem for the NYPD as well as the community. That's because many don't know it exist.

Officers here hope that changes. They say it's not about recruiting kids to become police officers, but rather, improving police-community relations.

"I disliked police because of all of the controversy, things that go on inside the media. But now, I look at it differently because all police are not the same," said Joshua Glover of the NYPD Youth Police Academy. "They basically helped me to change my attitude and look at things better."

"I know this is NYPD, you're protected here, there's nothing to be afraid of," said Bryan Parraguirre of the NYPD Youth Police Academy. "It's all friends here. We're all here to make friends. We're here to learn something."

This year's Police Youth Academy wraps up on August 14 with a graduation ceremony. Applications for the 2016 Academy are expexcted to be available next spring.

For more information, click this link.