Nutley Junior Police Academy Builds Community Relationships With Local Youth

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley Police Department recently congratulated dozens of local students for finishing its 13th annual Junior Police Academy.

The free, weeklong program gives participants hands-on experience in police fundamentals, including marching, defensive tactics and crime scene processing. Students also get the opportunity to work alongside the Nutley Fire Department and EMS squad – and this year, took a special trip to the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford.

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This year's academy included more than 60 students in grades 5 through 8. It was held at Spring Garden School and led by Lt. Michael Padilla, who founded the program.

"It's amazing to see the transformation in the kids over five short days," Padilla said, speaking to parents at this year's graduation ceremony.

"But it doesn't have to end today," he continued. "That's something that you can reinforce as parents. Remind your children about being present and mindful in the moment. As somebody who does part of the hiring at our department, that's one of the most important things that I'm seeing – kids aren't continuing to develop skill sets the same way that we might have had the opportunity to develop pre-social media."

"If you continue to reinforce some of the things we covered during this week – continue to teach them to be present in the moment – great things can happen," Padilla said.

Several students and squad leaders said they have benefitted from the local program.

Matthew Loeser, a squad leader and fourth-year academy participant, said the academy helped him build leadership skills while also having fun and getting to know the younger students.

Mia Sessoms, who is in her third year at the academy, said each year becomes even more meaningful, and called it a special experience to learn from and work with the officers.

Padilla also spoke about the importance of strong connections between police officers and young people in the community. He said community policing is central to everything the department does and stressed the value of building trust before a crisis occurs.

"We want your kids to come to us when they have an issue, not run from us," he told local parents. "We're a very young police force, but we're creating opportunities to have your kids come and meet us in an environment where they're comfortable. So that when they see us when they're not comfortable, they come to us and feel secure asking for help."

Padilla was assisted during the week by the following members of the Nutley Police Department: Lt. Graziano, Sgt. Carnicella, Sgt. DeSciscio, Sgt. Devine, Officers R. O'Mara, Martin, Tedesco, Mecka, Styskal, Cangiarella, Sellari, Senatore, Ballester, Castro, Hickey, Alvarez-Escobar, Rizzuto, Nelson, Bassani and Dispatcher Santos.

"Every year, the program gets better and better," township commissioner Alphonse Petracco said.

"I can't say enough about the officers and the kids," he added. "It's something the entire township is proud of."

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