88°
Officer Thomas Huestis and many others on the Greenwich police force got their start with police explorer programs in their youth. Now the department is recruiting Greenwich high school teens who are considering careers in law enforcement and criminal justice for the Greenwich Police Cadet Program.
"I was a police explorer in a different town, and it helped me decide to become a police officer," said Huestis, who runs the program. "It's a good opportunity for the children of Greenwich to make their career decisions easier."
Lt. Kraig Gray, spokesman for the department, said officers offer life lessons in public service and show the dedication it requires to be a law enforcement officer. "It's a positive program," said Gray. "Many officers participate in the program to interact with these young men and women at an impressionable time in their lives."
Cadets are taught criminal law, report writing, radio/penal codes, traffic control, first aid, firearm safety, military drill and other police procedures, among others.
"The program will teach kids what we do every day, the laws we enforce and give them training in all different scenarios," said Huestis.
The program begins with free open enrollment from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Greenwich Police Department at 11 Bruce Place to any interested youths ages 14 to 18. Members must have no serious criminal records or traffic violations and must maintain a C average in school.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.
