GIANNA Lakenauth, a Queens ninth-grader who wants to be a writer, was sworn in as police commissioner for a day two weeks ago after submitting a winning essay on how to reduce violent crimes.

The 14-year-old from South Ozone Park spent the day with Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly to get a first-hand feel of what it’s like to be the city’s top cop.

Lakenauth, who came to Queens four years ago from Guyana, beat out more than 400 other essay contestants from grades 9 through 12.

About 130 students were chosen for other commanding positions for a day, learning about everything from fingerprinting procedures to how the Emergency Services Unit works.

Lakenauth said she developed ideas for her piece by observing what went on in her neighbourhood.

“There is always space for improvement,” she said during a visit to One Police Plaza. She also got a boat ride with the Harbour Patrol after lunch with Kelly.

The goal of the competition is to give youths a deeper understanding of law enforcement, said Felix Urrutia, executive director of the Police Athletic League, which organises the annual event with the NYPD.

“It’s about getting them to think about the city’s problems and the thought that goes into decisions law enforcement makes,” Urrutia said.

Lakenauth’s ideas for reducing violent crimes included increasing patrols and video surveillance in high-crime areas, ID cards for housing complexes and establishing education programs to combat hate crimes.

She said she hopes authorities will implement some of her ideas.

“Police need to know what younger people think to help them get better at understanding us,” said Lakenauth, who heard about the contest at her school, John Adams Jump Start Academy in Ozone Park.

In addition to learning the ropes from Kelly, Lakenauth and her school were awarded a $250 check and plaque.

When asked how she felt being the city’s top cop, Lakenauth replied: “I achieved something major,” she said. “I’m a ninth-grader.” (New York Daily News)