Secaucus Police Chief Holds Mock Press Conference With Cub Scouts

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller held a mock press conference Thursday with members of Secaucus Cub Scout Pack #87, to teach the boys about government, civics and journalism.

The boys were given a lesson beforehand about how American government works, from the federal level starting with the U.S. President, down to the state and town level. The boys learned the role the media has in questioning government officials and keeping the public informed.

Then, the Cub Scouts marched over to town hall to meet Chief Miller in Council chambers. The boys, third, fourth and fifth graders, each had to prepare three questions beforehand to ask the chief.

The press conference lasted about 45 minutes and each boy had to stand up, introduce himself and ask his question. Miller was flanked by Deputy Chief Martin Moreda and Sergeant Vince DeFazio, a former Secaucus Cub Scout. The Cubs asked:

• What made you want to become a police officer?
• How do you get evidence to prove someone did something wrong?
• What if a police officer refused an order that was very scary, such as going into a building where there is a bomb? (The officer would be fired, said Miller.)
• What kind of guns do you use?
• Do police use drones?
• What if there was a mutiny on the police force?
• What if a police officer quit the department and took a lot of secrets with him?
• How many people are arrested each year in Secaucus? (Approximately 700)
• Have you ever been scared? (Miller answered no.)

One of the boys asked how handcuffs worked, and the police chief placed him into handcuffs to show him.

Miller told the boys he wanted to become a police officer because one day when he was younger, he came home and found a crime being committed in his home. He joined the U.S. Army and then became a police officer.

He explained why it is extremely important for journalists to get all sides of the story before they publish, something Miller said the media does not do enough. Miller also said being a police officer is not like playing a video game: In a video game, if a player dies, they come back to life within seconds, and get to play again. In real life, if a police officer has to fire his gun, he or the other person will likely not come back.

Real life is not a video game, the police chief stressed to the boys.

After the press conference, Cub Pack #87 leader Helen Allen thanked Miller and his staff. Everyone gathered in a circle, held hands and sang the Scout Vesper, which is a campfire closing song.