Citizens Police Academy Graduates Recognized by Gloucester Township Police, Council

Not all were in attendance, but officials recognized more than 35 graduating members of the 14th annual Citizens Police Academy during Monday’s night’s Gloucester Township Council meeting.

Police Chief Harry Earle and members of council recognized graduates ranging in age from 16 to 60, male and female. One graduate was in a wheelchair.

The 15-week course included an overview of the police department and the administration, uniformed patrol, police communications, special operations, criminal investigations, Traffic Safety, and SRT, among other topics.

All attendees of the Citizen Police Academy were also trained in the use of CPR for the home.

“We’re here to celebrate not only their commitment, but the relationships and the friendships that were built,” Earle said. “They had a different instructor every week, so they got to know a lot of police officers. Sometimes they had two or three instructors a night.”

“It was about understanding what the police department does,” said Lt. Brandon Barton, the Community Relations Bureau Commander who oversaw the program. “We want residents to understand why we do what we do.”

“It’s a wonderful program,” Gloucester Township Council President Glen Bianchini said. “The police department continues to reach out with the community policing the chief emphasizes so much.”

The Gloucester Township Police Department is also enrolling students in its Junior Police Academy. The Advanced Class filled up in 11 minutes, according to Earle. Registration for all other classes continues until they are full.

Registration is at the Gloucester Township Recreation Center, 80 Broadacres Drive in the Blackwood section of the township.

Download the application here: 2015 Gloucester Township Police Junior Police Academy Application or visit http://gtpolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015-Gloucester-Township-Police-Junior-Police-Academy-Application.pdf

The Junior Police Academy consists of physical training, lectures, presentations, hands on activities and a field trip.

The following classes are still available:

Ages 10 - 13

Dates: July 20-24 2015 & August 3-7 2015

Times: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM Daily

Location: Gloucester Township Police Department

Cost: $125

Ages 13-16

Dates: July 27-31 2015

Times: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM Daily

Location: Gloucester Township Police Department

Cost: $125