The above photo depicts the 2017 Junior Police Academy Recruits (front two rows) and the Lacey Junior Police Academy Instructors (back row). Photo taken by Officer Noah Schaffer.
*** 2017 Junior Police Academy Graduation ***
On Monday, July 10, 2017, 20 eighth grade students began a week-long Junior Police Academy sponsored by the Lacey Township Police Department. The academy, coordinated by Detective Lieutenant Christopher Cornelius, was designed to offer recruits the opportunity to participate in a criminal investigation led by the Detective Bureau. The first day of the academy presented a crime scene that allowed each recruit to process and further investigate each phase of an actual investigation as the week progressed. The investigation ended on Friday, July 14, 2017, as the recruits testified at a mock murder trial.
In addition to the investigation, each recruit participated daily in physical training challenges and were required to learn and utilize proper military etiquette. Additionally, the academy included Crime Scene Training, Court Room Testimony, Evidence Collection and Processing, Criminal Law, Interview and Interrogation, and Social Media Awareness. Events included, but were not limited to, a helicopter landing provided by the New Jersey State Police, and a Police K-9 Demonstration provided by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.
The week culminated with a graduation dinner where family members of each recruit watched them receive a certificate of completion. Mayor Peter Curatolo, Captain Patrick Ganley, and Detective Lieutenant Christopher Cornelius presented.
In addition to our officers, the New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County SWAT, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office participated. Toms River Attorney Terrance Turnbach also dedicated his time toward the academy by portraying the defense attorney at the mock trial.
Local businesses played a large part in the academy’s success by providing food and drinks for each day’s lunch and the graduation dinner including Captain’s Inn, 304 E. Lacey Road, Forked River; Linda’s Pizza, 136 Route 9 South, Forked River; Shop Rite, 348 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor; and Dunkin Donuts, 348 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor.
The academy was a huge success and helped foster a positive relationship between our officers and the community. I would like to thank everyone who coordinated and participated in this event, including, but not limited to, all of the above-participating law enforcement agencies, the men and women of the Lacey Township Police Department, the Lacey Township Committee, the Lacey Township Board of Education, Attorney Terrance Turnbach, and all the businesses that provided food and refreshments. Further, I would like to give a special thanks to all the parents, guardians, and relatives of our recruits.
“Building a positive relationship with the youth of our community has been, and will continue to be, a priority of the Lacey Township Police Department. Thank you all.”
-Chief Michael C. DiBella