Cranford Youth Police Academy Class Of 2019 Graduates

CRANFORD, NJ - After a week of training and hard work designed to expose them to the functions of the police department, the thirteenth class of the Cranford Police Department Youth Police Academy graduated on Friday, July 12.

The academy program, designed to bridge the gap between the members of the police department and the youth of Cranford, included 51 cadets from Cranford between the ages of 11 and 14.
“The primary goal of the Youth Police Academy is to encourage open communication between Cranford youth and the members of the Cranford Police Department” said Cranford Police Chief Ryan Greco.

Each academy day started with one hour of physical fitness and military drill practice led by Patrolman Daniel Donnerstag followed by classroom lectures and demonstrations. Detective Steven D’Ambola and Captain Joseph Van Bergen coordinated training sessions designed to familiarize the cadets with the roles of Cranford police officers, as well as the functions of various county and state law enforcement agencies.

During the week, cadets received classroom lectures and practical exercises on police department structure, patrol operations, motor vehicle stops, investigative techniques, DWI, first aid/CPR, firearms safety, gang awareness, and traffic investigations. Patrolmen Ryan Gerrity and Lynne Galvez also assist in the daily activities.

Demonstrations were presented by the Cranford Police Department’s Water Rescue Unit, Firearms Unit, Investigative Division, and Traffic Bureau. Additional presentations were made by the Cranford Fire Department Emergency Medical Services, United States Marine Corps, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Transit Police Department, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, Union County Sheriff’s K-9 and Crime Scene Units, Union County Bomb Squad, Union County SWAT, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Office of Emergency Management, United States Secret Service, and United States Homeland Security
Investigations.

More than 150 family and friends of the cadets attended the graduation ceremony held at the Cranford Community Center. Greco, Van Bergen, and D’Ambola led the graduation ceremonies. During the ceremony, family and friends were given an overview of the Youth Academy
Program. The highlight of the graduation was a video depicting the weeklong training experience. All graduating cadets received certificates for their participation in the program.

This year’s session of the academy was dedicated to Honorary Police Officer Raymond Schwartz who passed away earlier this year after a courageous fight against cancer. Ray was a previous Youth Academy cadet and junior instructor. In his honor the Ray Schwartz Memorial Award was created and awarded to a cadet for displaying exceptional integrity & dedication to the Cranford Police Department and Police Youth Academy.

This year’s award was presented to cadet Ryan Kilbashian.

Retired Secret Service Agent Tom Sloan donated a signed copy of his book “Guardians of Democracy” to each cadet. The book chronicles the 150-year history of the US Secret Service. In addition, he had every cadet sign a copy of the book in Ray’s memory and the book was presented to the Schwartz family at graduation.

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