SAYREVILLE – Twenty-one incoming middle school students from Sayreville have become the first graduates of the Sayreville Police Department’s Junior Police Academy.
From July 9-13, borough residents entering grades 6-8 were known as Class 18-01, attending the academy from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at Sayreville Middle School, concluding with a graduation ceremony held for the students on July 13.
“Academy recruits will learn the importance of self discipline, self respect, respecting others, teamwork and goal setting,” Patrolwoman Rebekah Morales said. “We will focus on physically and mentally challenging each recruit in a positive manner. The curriculum format will be similar to an actual police academy – during the week you will be involved in educational programs, physical activities and exposed to municipal, county and state resources.”
The students participated in various activities during the academy, including being taught how to use handcuffs, nightsticks and other methods police officers use to defend themselves, as part of learning defensive tactics on July 9. Additionally, the students visited the New Jersey State Police Museum in Ewing Township on July 10.
On July 11, the students met with special police units through visits from the Middlesex County Sheriff K-9 Unit and the Perth Amboy Police Department Marine and SCUBA units. Class 18-01 also met with fire and EMS personnel from Sayreville on July 12 and were able to experience a New Jersey State Police helicopter landing that same day.
As one of the final activities before the students graduated, Class 18-01 ran together on the morning of July 13, the day of their graduation and completion of Sayreville’s first Junior Police Academy.
Now serving as recruits, the students will be tasked throughout the year with participating in police events such as Sayreville Day, which will be held on Sept. 15, and other community events, according to Morales.
“On Monday morning [July 9], they strolled in as individuals and on Friday morning [July 13], they ran as one,” the police department said in a statement. “Congratulations to Sayreville’s first Junior Police Academy graduates. Class 18-01, you made us proud.”
