38°
"I am very proud of the fact that three of our graduates were inspired by the program and decided to become police officers," Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner told Daily Voice.
Established in the '1990s, the mini police academy is for local 12- to 16-year-olds. Kids get to learn about different areas of law enforcement, appreciate officers' responsibilities and meet a variety of people involved in the criminal justice system.
Campers have visited local and district courts, and met agents from the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI and the Westchester District Attorney's office, Feiner explained. They also have seen demonstrations by the county bomb squad and aviation unit, the Greenburgh and Yonkers K-9 units, the Hudson River Marine Units and the Greenburgh SWAT/Tech Rescue teams.
They've also gone to Washington, D.C., to visit the FBI Academy, the Police Memorial Museum, Arlington National Cemetery and the Marine Corps Museum.
"Obviously, this camp is a success and has accomplished what we set to achieve when we first established the camp," Feiner said. "This is the kind of program we need nationally: it could help improve relations between the police and youth."
The Lanza Family Foundation has helped fund the program over the years.
The two other youth camp graduates who've joined the force are Herman Killiebrew and Peter Schmidt.
Thomas was appointed to be a probationary police officer at the Greenburgh town meeting last Thursday, Aug. 4 -- as were Taylor Braig, Mitchell Cole and Brian Doherty. In the same ceremony, Lt. Michael D’Alessio was promoted to captain, Sgts. Gregory Attalienti and Daniel Valentine were promoted to lieutenant, and Detective Scott Harding was promoted to sergeant.
Click here to view the town meeting -- including the appointment and promotion ceremony -- here.Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenburgh and receive free news updates.
