Registration is now open for two different sessions that will be held the first and second week of July.
The Evesham Township Police Department is hosting its fourth annual Junior Police Academy day camp this July.
According to police officials, the purpose of the Junior Police Academy is to provide young citizens with an introduction to law enforcement.
The department’s goal is to motivate young people to be outstanding citizens and empower them to act as a positive influence in the community.
Police say the academy provides an opportunity for officers and students to see each other as people, rather than as adversaries. Police say the academy can also transform the traditional role of the police officer into a mentor and a friend, while encouraging the community’s young citizens to be partners in building safer schools and communities.
While the students that attend the academy may not want to become police officers in the future, police say this program can instill a confidence and sense of achievement that will benefit the students for years to come.
Police say the Junior Police Academy will cover a multitude of topics including: history of law enforcement, social media, bullying, motor vehicle law, DWI enforcement, teens and drug use, crime scene and evidentiary processing, active shooter scenarios and a K-9 demonstration.
Each day will also begin each day with an hour of light physical training and military drill.
Applications for the camp are available at the Evesham Township Police Department between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The applications will also be available online for download at www.eveshampd.org.
Space in the academy is limited to 20 participants. Completed applications must be turned into the police department in person by the deadline of June 1.
The department will have two separate academy weeks. The first week will be held July 16 to July 20, and the second week will be held July 23 to July 27.
The academy will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m each day of that week’s session.
Recruits are only permitted to attend one week of academy. Spots are limited to 20 per class and will be filled as the applications are submitted and approved by department staff.
There is no cost for the program, but all recruits must be accepted through the application process.
Qualifications / Requirements:
· Must be a resident of Evesham Township
· Must be in middle school or going into middle school in the fall (current fifth, sixth, seventh and eight grade students)
· Must be recommended by a sponsor (principal / guidance department member, law enforcement agency, community representative, coach or religious leader.)
· Must be in good academic standing
· Must be able to participate in physical fitness activities (push-ups, sit-ups, light calisthenics, etc.)
· Must be able to participate in a structured program
· Have no criminal background or disciplinary problems which may preclude him/her from successful participation in the academy
For more information on the Evesham Township Police Department Junior Police Academy, contact Lt. Ron Ritter via email at ritterr@eveshampd.org or Patrol Officer Christine Schmidt at schmidtc@eveshampd.org or Patrol Officer Jessica Lettieri at lettierij@eveshampd.org.
Those interested may also call (856)983–1116.
