Summit Police Department Youth Academy

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Police Department has announced the dates for the 2017 Youth Academy. The academy will be running two, one-week sessions: Session One from July 17 to 21; and Session Two from July 24 to 28. Both sessions will be held at the Summit Police Department. Classes will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

This will be the 13th season of this popular program, designed to provide area youths with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the role of the police officer. While other youth academy programs provide a day camp setting, the Summit Police Youth Academy has been modeled after today’s police academy.

Those accepted to the program will undergo physical training and daily training in Drill and Ceremony, as well as instruction in criminal investigation techniques, evidence recovery and patrol practices. In addition, the cadets will participate in field trips to the Union County Police Academy and attend demonstrations from various specialized units that are available to law enforcement, such as the police canine unit, SWAT team and the bomb squad.

Each cadet will receive official Summit Police Youth Academy uniforms to wear throughout the course. Upon successful completion of the course the cadets will participate in a graduation ceremony in which they will be presented with a certificate of completion and an official Summit Police Youth Academy patch. Each cadet will also receive a DVD slideshow of photos taken during their session.

Acceptance into this program requires that the applicant be between the ages of 11-14. Cadets will be selected on a first come, first serve basis.

Please note, however, that preference will be given to Summit residents who are new applicants; former recruits and out-of-town applicants will be placed on a waiting list. In order to be considered, the tuition fee of $100 must accompany the application. However, for those applicants that are experiencing financial hardships, there are a limited number of scholarships available.

Applications will be available at the Police Department, the Summit Middle School Office, and online at www.cityofsummit.org.

Applications will be accepted beginning March 13 and the deadline for applications will be April 17.

For additional information please contact Det/Sgt. Rick Proctor at rproctor@spdnj.org (908-273-5871) or Pam Ferreira at pferreira@spdnj.org (908-277-9473).

— By Megan Marie Trindell

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