SPOTSWOOD–Teaching the borough’s youth about law enforcement practices, from self defense to criminal investigations, the Spotswood Police Department held its 13th annual Spotswood Junior Academy.
Detective Sgt. Edward Schapley started the academy in 2005 with retired Sgt. Chris Bierman.
“We started the program for several reasons, the first being getting youths in the community involved in the community and providing them with direction and the ability to believe in themselves,” Schapley said. “In addition, to give them insight into law enforcement and the type of work involved in the field. Finally, to break the stigma of law enforcement being elitist and showing them that police officers are every day people like everyone else.”
This year, the academy ran from July 23-27 at Spotswood High School, free for all participating cadets courtesy of the Spotswood Police Department.
“The junior police academy exposes students entering sixth through 12th grade to the different aspects of law enforcement. We teach them about self-defense, discipline, investigations, K-9, motor vehicle stops and many other areas in law enforcement,” said Schapley, who has been with the police department since 1995, and is currently assigned to the Detective Bureau and the borough schools as a school resource officer.
This year, approximately 30 cadets registered. For the cadets who completed the full five days, each received a diploma/certificate. The academy’s graduation ceremony was held on July 27 at Spotswood High.
The main instructors were Schapley and drill instructors Mike Genovese and Adam Sabatino. Other members of the department help out, and Police Chief Michael Zarro is a big supporter of the program, according to Schapley.
Schapley said the instructors are the most important part of the success of the academy.
For more information, visit www.spotswoodpd.net or the police department’s Facebook page.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
