Junior Police Excel In Maplewood Academy (Photos)

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - Five days of drills, training and visits from local authorities punctuated a week-long program that comprised the Maplewood Police Department Junior Police Academy.

The Maplewood Township Police Department "Junior Police Academy" was held Aug. 26 through Aug. 30 for Maplewood Residents in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. According to officials, one of the biggest components of how the Maplewood Township Police Department operates is through Community Oriented Policing and many officers that participate in teaching LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs), which helps build relationships between students and officers in the elementary schools as well as participating in after school programs such as The Hub and The Loft.

Day 1:

The recruits got into the action with a little morning motivation before doing drill and ceremony. They were also treated to presentations from FBI Special Agent Alan Fowler and Essex County Prosecutor's Office Juvenile Detective Jason Gorto.

Day 2:

The recruits participated in a morning march before a getting up close and personal with the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit.

Day 3:

The recruits tested their sea legs by visiting New Jersey State Police Marine Station in Carteret.

Day 4:

The recruits got a chance to visit the Newark Police Department Traffic Unit as well the Maplewood Police Department Traffic Unit.

Day 5:

The recruits were able to meet with members of the Maplewood Fire Department and get a close look at the fire trucks. Then it was off to American Jiu Jitsu for an anti-bullying training session.

Officials noted the program is a way to continue to grow the bond between the police department and the youth of the community while they continue their educational experience. The Junior Police Academy showed the participants how a police department functions and serves its community on an everyday basis and organizers said it is very important for the young men and women to be able to see that the job of a police officer may be very different from what they may have seen on television or read on the internet.

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