Camp Gives Students An Inside Look at Law Enforcement

Youngsters who want a taste of what a career in law enforcement is like don’t have to look far.

The East Brunswick Police Department is accepting applications for the 7th Annual Youth Police Academy, and those who attend will get to visit with people in various law enforcement positions and get a taste of what it's like to train to be an officer.. 

“This Age group is just on the cusp of kind of starting to potentially think about what they want to do in their lives,” said Patrolman Craig Hoover. “It gives information on a lot of different tracks, not onlythe  police department. We have the sheriff’s office, the K9 unit that comes in, a composite sketch artist comes in and the National Guard with it’s helicopter.”

The Academy will begin on June 25 and conclude on June 29.  Classes will be held between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Churchill Junior High School.  The Academy can accommodate 30 cadets. This year’s academy will be open to individuals between 10 and 14 years old who live or attend school in East Brunswick.

The one-week program will provide an opportunity for young members of the community to get a better understanding of how the East Brunswick Police operates and how police officers serve and protect the community. In addition to outside agencies, officers from the department’s various divisions will meet with the students. Students also will visit the department’s training facilities and see demonstrations on the use of force and what type of training officers goes through.

“We’ll show them some of the weapons that we utilize and do a demonstration for them,” said Officer Hoover.

Each cadet will have the chance to participate in team building activities and learn about respect and tolerance while having fun. The program includes field trips to the New Jersey State Police museum and the East Brunswick Police training facility. 

For those who are interested in enrolling someone in  program, please complete an application, available from the administrative division at the East Brunswick Police Department.  If you are interested in enrolling more than one person, please complete separate applications for each person.  Additional applications are available at Police Headquarters.  

There is a $100 fee for each cadet attending the academy.  This fee may be paid in cash, check, or money order made payable to “Township of East Brunswick”.  The payment and completed applications must be submitted in person to the East Brunswick Police Department’s Administrative Division.  This office is located in East Brunswick Police Headquarters, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The number of cadets that will be accepted is limited, so submit your application (s) as soon as possible.

Due to a high number of anticipated applicants and the limited class size, cadets who are new to the program may be accepted over previous graduates.  The application deadline is June 8.

Applications can be picked up and completed at the administrative division at East Brunswick Police headquarters.

If you have any questions, please contact Patrolman Drew Walsh or Patrolman Craig Hoover at the Community Policing Office (732) 390-6938.