The South Orange Junior Police Academy completed its 9th run earlier this month, finishing strong with plans to return for a 10th year in 2016.
The program has become an important part of the South Orange Police Department‘s youth outreach.
Running for one week in July (this year, the academy took place from Monday to Friday, July 13-17), the academy is a summer camp for boys and girls ages 10 through 13. The academy accepts about 24 students each year. The program fee is $99 per student and is open to South Orange and Maplewood residents.
South Orange Police Chief James Chelel has called the program something he is “really proud of.” The one-week summer program is sponsored by local businesses and elicits “very positive feedback,” said Chelel.
“Someday, hopefully, one of these kids becomes a police officer,” said Chelel.
“During the week we conducted seminars on respect, discipline, bullying, CPR and fire prevention/safety in order for the kids to identify issues they may come across at their age,” said Officer Jared Adams, who is in charge of the program. One trip to the State Police Marine Barracks included a police boat tour of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the USS Intrepid and the East River.
“We also had a hands-on day at the Essex County Police Academy,” said Adams, “where cadets met, interacted with and performed several activities with recruits.” In addition, during the academy, “NJ Transit conducted a demonstration with a bomb sniffing and drug sniffing dog.”
The South Orange Rescue Squad and Fire Department also assisted in CPR and Fire Training during the Junior Police Academy.
Ashley Marketplace and Village Trattoria donated food for lunch and Bow-Tie Cinemas provided each child with a movie pass to the theater.
“Absolutely this is an important part of the police department’s community outreach,” said Adams.
“This is a time when we need positive community interaction,” said Adams.
Lastly, Adams wanted to acknowledge the South Orange police officers who “generously gave up free time to help make the camp successful.” Those officers: Detective Ernesto Morillo, Officer Herron Dunston, Officer Zorada McFadden and Officer Michael Cucciniello.
For more information or to donate to the program, contact Officer Adams at jadams@southorange.org. Donation checks should be made out to “South Orange Junior Police Academy.”
Click on any image below to see a gallery of photos from the 2015 South Orange Junior Police Academy.
