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The free two-week “day camp,” which runs M-F June 27 through July 8, is open to teens entering the 9th, 10th , 11th and 12th grades.
“Designed by law enforcement professionals, the Academy provides high school students with a real understanding of what actual police academy cadets experience,” said Molinelli, who created the special camp in 2004. “Strong emphasis is placed on self respect, respect of others, teamwork and commitment to one’s goals.”
The curriculum relies heavily on hands-on, interactive educational and physical training. Daily programs include presentations from educators,
interaction with county agencies, and field trips.
Instructors are from all three Bergen County law enforcement agencies — the prosecutor’s and sheriff’s offices and the county police.
And although the program will be based at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute at 281 Campgaw Road in Mahwah, teens will be able to report to the Bergen County Jail, 160 River Street in Hackensack, where buses will take them back and forth.
The motto: “Honor – Respect – Commitment.”
This daily program will run in Mahwah from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., although the instructors might switch things up; in that case, parents and guardians will be notified in advance.
Exact times will be explained to parents at a mandatory meeting before the academy begins. One thing they will stress is that cadets be early for the buses from the jail. These will pull out on time whether everyone’s there or not.
The academy will provide daily lunches, a t-shirt and shorts for each cadet. And the rules are the rules: Any cadet who doesn’t follow them gets bounced.
Then comes graduation, in an official ceremony on Friday, July 8.
The deadline for applications is May 6.
To obtain one, click: 2011 Youth Academy Application
Print, complete and send it to:
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office
100 Eisenhower Drive
Paramus, NJ 07652
ATTENTION: Eileen Hughes
Space is limited, so get your application in quickly. Priority will be given to those received first.
And yes, these must be completed for your child to qualify.
Questions? Community the Outreach Division at 201-336-3540, or email Eileen Hughes at ehughes@bcpo.net.
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