Summit PD Youth Academy Application Period Opens May 1

Editors Note: The following is a press release from the Summit Police Department.

The has announced the dates for the 2012 session of its Youth Academy. The academy will be running two, one-week long sessions, one from July 16-20, the other from July 30-August 3, 2012, both of which will be held at the Summit Police Department. Classes will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

This will be the eighth season of this increasingly popular program, designed to provide area youths with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the role of the police officer. While other youth academy programs provide a day camp setting, the Summit Police Youth Academy has been modeled after today’s police academy. Those accepted to the program will undergo physical training and daily training in Drill and Ceremony, will be instructed in criminal investigation techniques, evidence recovery, patrol practices and the effects of alcohol and drugs. In addition, the cadets will participate in field trips to the Union County Police Academy and attend demonstrations from various specialized units that are available to law enforcement, such as the police canine unit, SWAT team and the bomb squad. As in 2011, each session will conclude with a lunch and swim session at the Summit Family Aquatic Center.

Each cadet will receive official Summit Police Youth Academy uniforms to wear throughout the course. Upon successful completion of the course the cadets will participate in a graduation ceremony in which they will be presented with a certificate of completion and an official Summit Police Youth Academy patch. Each cadet will also receive a DVD of the graduation ceremony.

Acceptance into this program requires that the applicant be between the ages of 11-14. Those that qualify will be selected based upon the return date of their application and tuition payment of $100.00. Please note, however, that preference will be given to Summit residents who are new applicants; former recruits and out-of-town applicants will be placed on a waiting list. In addition, sponsorships are available to those applicants that are experiencing financial hardships.

Applications will be available at the Police Department, the Summit Middle School Office, and online at http://www.cityofsummit.org.

Applications will be accepted beginning May 1 and the deadline for applications will be June 1, 2012.

For additional information please contact Sergeant Ronald Martin at (908- 598-2171) or Pam Ferreira at pferreira@cityofsummit.org (908-277-9473).