A Record Number of Students Set for Third Year of Law and Public Safety Academy at Camden County Technical Schools

The Law and Public Safety Academy at Camden County Technical Schools will see a record 160 students in its third year next year, Camden County officials said on Monday.

There were 60 when the program first started. The first 20 students are projected to graduate.

“The program is going extremely well and garnered unprecedented interest from the student body at both the Pennsauken and Gloucester Township campuses of the Camden County Technical School,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. said. “This historic initiative allows students to follow career paths in public safety when they enter high schools.”

The academy is a four-year high school based program in which students learn competencies relevant to career and higher education opportunities in the fields of law, criminal justice, fire, emergency medical and other related careers.

Through a partnership with Camden County College, students can earn college credit through articulation agreements with various courses in the program, as well as dual enrollment in college courses taught in partnership with various related college departments.

They also receive opportunities for structured learning opportunities and internships. Students will be offered external exploration experiences in the Camden County Police Department, Prosecutors Office, Communications Center, Police Academy, Fire Training Academy, Sherriff’s Office and Department of Corrections.

It also addresses the nationwide increase in demand for these types of positions. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the area of policing, corrections and emergency medical services are expected to grow faster than average. They project greater labor demand for fire fighters, detectives, investigators, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, as well as security guards and gaming surveillance officers.

It offers career tracks in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Fire Science, Emergency Medical and Legal Services.

“No one ever tells students in high school, and for that matter, college what the best track is to become a police officer, sheriff’s officer or investigator in the Prosecutor’s Office,” Cappelli said. “Now these kids are connected to a tangible career path to become public servants protecting our community directly from the professionals in the field.”

The Camden County Freeholder Board and public safety executives and Technical School administrators to put the academy together.

They brought in Camden County College Police and Fire Academy professionals to build important partnerships for students interested in the field.

The program is offered at both the Pennsauken and Gloucester Township campuses of the Technical Schools and current eighth graders who are Camden County residents may apply for admission.

Parents of eighth graders who are interested in learning more about the program can contact the admissions office at 856-767-7000, ext. 5415.