Some children aspire to be heroes when they grow up, and the Haddonfield Police Department now provides a week-long opportunity to do just that.
Some children aspire to be heroes when they grow up, and the Haddonfield Police Department now provides a week-long opportunity to do just that.
From June 18 to June 21, the police department is hosting its annual Police Explorers Summer Camp, where students in fifth through eighth grade are encouraged to experience a day in the life of police officers.
The inspiration for the camp originated when Mayor Neal Rochford went to police Lt. Stephen Camiscioli with an idea to give hands-on police experience to youth. Camiscioli and his team expanded on the idea by taking it from a one-day camp to a four-day experience.
“If it’s worth doing, do it big and memorable,” Camiscioli said.
Some of the activities involve teaching campers how to process fingerprints through a created crime scene, learning about forensic photography and performing a car stop in a closed parking lot, according to Camiscioli. Officers also show campers the “ill-effects” of driving intoxicated.
“With golf carts, we set up a driving course with traffic cones and show each candidate via drunk driving goggles the ill-effects of intoxication on perception and reaction,” Camiscioli explained.
The camp also shows attendees the various avenues law enforcement provides. Campers will travel on a bus to the Camden County Police Communications Center where they will see firsthand what a high-tech operation the center is and how agencies are interlinked, according to Camiscioli.
Those participating also will get a look inside of the county sheriff’s K-9 unit. Campers will see how K-9 officers respond in various situations, including a narcotics investigation.
On the final day of the camp, campers are given a certificate of attendance, followed by a pizza party, soft drinks and games with the police department. Camiscioli has been coming up with new ideas to make it even better this year.
“This year I have the quest of attempting to outdo myself this year from last, which I am working on still,” Camiscioli said. “Each year, I compete against my former self to push further.”
WhatCamiscioli loves most about the camp is spending time with the campers in a positive setting. He also believes that it humanizes the officers and demonstrates to a younger demographic that officers are approachable, compassionate and understanding.
Being the father of two young women himself, Camiscioli is excited to integrate more females into the camp this year. An equal number of male and female participants have registered so far, according to Camiscioli.
For the female campers in attendance, they will have the opportunity to relate to the officers on a new level this year.
