Now in its ninth year, the South Orange Junior Police Academy has become an important part of the South Orange Police Department‘s youth outreach.
Running for one week in July (this year, the academy takes place from July 13-17), the academy is a summer camp for children ages 10 through 13.
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.
The academy accepts about 24 students each year, but “we try to make accommodations if we get some extra,” said Police Officer Jared Adams who is commanding officer of the academy (originally, Det. Mark Garrett ran the program). As of Tuesday, June 9, there were still about five spots available. “Kids started signing up early this year,” said Adams. “They were so excited!”
Although the program attracts more boys, “we do get a good number of females,” said Adams, who pointed out that “a few female officers help out” with the program.
The five-day program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and includes an orientation day, with drill and ceremony, and visits to the Essex County Police Academy, the South Orange Fire Department, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the NJ State Police Marine Barracks in Point Pleasant. Students experience a driving simulator course and a firearms simulator course. They travel on a police boat and also investigate a crime scene. “We set up the scene at the Baird and show them how to find and process evidence,” said Adams.
Additionally, “NJTransit’s canine unit comes in and shows them how bomb-sniffing and drug-sniffing dogs work,” said Adams. Potentially, NorthSTAR may bring in a Medevac helicopter — landing in Cameron Field — to show the students.
“Absolutely this is an important part of the police department’s community outreach,” said Adams. He also noted that the SOPD is “branching out” throughout the year to reach adolescents through programs like “good behavior citations.”
“This is a time when we need positive community interaction,” said Adams.
Adams noted that three or four days during week, local restaurants and caterers such as the Village Trattoria, Ashley Marketplace and Gourmet Dining at Seton Hall provide lunch for the students. Donations from other local businesses and residents are appreciated, said Adams.
The program fee is $99 per student and is open to South Orange and Maplewood residents. See the application below.
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.” Parents and guardians can also stop by the South Orange Police Building at 201 South Orange Avenue to pick up an application at the front desk.
Click on any image below to see a gallery of photos from the 2014 South Orange Junior Police Academy.
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