Montclair Police Offer Programs For Local Youth

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Montclair Township. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

The Montclair Police Department and Montclair Police Athletic League are offering the following youth programs.

Junior Police Academy

The Montclair Police Department (MPD) invites students in grades 5 to 8 to join the Junior Police Academy. Put down those electronic devices and pick up great life experience. Participants will gain greater insight into what it means to serve in the MPD. They’ll meet with officers, receive instruction and training to experience everything it means to be a police officer.

Friday Activity Night

The Montclair Police Athletic League’s monthly Friday Activity Night returns February 8 for fun, pizza, snacks, and more fun. Get out of the house and bring your best skills to play video games, ping-pong, basketball, shoot some pool, sing karaoke, do arts & crafts, play board games and more.

Friday Activity Night takes place every second Friday of the month, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Wally Choice Community Center, 49 Maple Avenue. It’s free and open to Montclair youth.

Police Explorers Program

The MPD's Police Explorers Program teaches kids in grades 9 through 12 about law enforcement in the community. Participants will gain clear insight into the skills, tactics, and laws that our officers are equipped to deal with on a daily basis. They learn about law enforcement during bi-weekly sessions with officers from various units who provide instruction on the many different police jobs. The environment is similar to an actual police recruit training program, complete with physical training exercises, emphasizing teamwork and responsibility. Explorers will occasionally participate in community events and work alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement.

To register for the Junior Police Academy, Friday Activity Night and/or Police Explorers Program, visit www.montclairpal.org; contact Officer Anjannette Sanders at 973-509-4775, option #4; or send an email message to ajohnson@montclairnjusa.org.

MPD Youth Advisory Council

Montclair students in grades 8 through 12 are invited to join the Montclair Police Department Youth Advisory Council. Students are encouraged to participate in a peer-led group to offer the voice of the community's youth. The group will meet regularly with Chief Todd Conforti and his Command Staff to discuss issues regarding youth/police relations. The mission is to ensure that youth concerns and issues are brought to the fore. For more info contact Lieutenant Williams at 973-509-4729 or twilliams@montclairnjusa.org.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com