Every summer since 2007, the Hopewell Township Police Department has been holding a weeklong Youth Police Academy.
Sgt. Michael Cseremsak, who has been running the program since it began, explained that the academy is just one of many ways that the police department reaches out to the local community.
“I’ve been here through four chiefs and we’ve always put the community first,” said Cseremsak, citing programs like D.A.R.E. and National Night Out as other ways that the department engages with the community.
Cseremsak said that part of the design of the academy is to give middle school-aged kids some direction and focus.
“This is a taste of what police work is like. If you’re thinking you might go this way, you may realize that maybe it’s not for me or maybe it’s something to investigate further,” he said.
The majority of the Youth Police Academy revolves around the investigation of a single crime. On the afternoon of the first day of the academy, the department stages a crime scene complete with victims, witnesses and evidence.
The nature of the crime changes every year and in the past has included burglary and homicide.
“We build upon one crime every day,” Cseremsak said. “What we’ve learned, what we want to learn, what’s the logical path that we should follow, who we want to talk to, rule, out, go after. It’s kind of like an ongoing self-critique.”
Throughout this process the kids get a chance to practice different investigation techniques including taking pictures of the crime scene, dusting for prints and interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects.
In addition to the major investigation, kids who attend the academy get a taste of the rest of the police academy experience. Before anything else, they get their pictures taken and receive uniforms (a t-shirt and hat) and books (binders with material on arrest, search and seizure, the Bill of Rights and firearm safety). Then they are taught how to march, how to line up and how to put up the American flag, all of which are performed every morning of the academy.
Throughout the week, the police drive the kids around town showing them traffic stops, search warrant investigations and raids. All of the scenarios involved are staged.
On the last day of the academy, the kids go to the firing range, where they learn about firearm safety, watch a demo and get the opportunity to shoot guns.
Cseremsak said that the Youth Police Academy is a mutually beneficial program for the police and the participants. He said he always learns something from the kids who participate and that the program helps the police build a relationship with members of the community before they get older and more cynical.
“The kids learn what we’re about, who we are and that we’re people, too,” he added.
This year’s Youth Police Academy, is set to be held from Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applications are available at the Timberlane Middle School main office, the Hopewell Township Police Department, or the Hopewell Township website home page. Applications must be completed and returned to the Hopewell Township Police Department by noon on June 15. The program is limited to 20 participants.
For more information, call Sgt. Michael Cseremsak at (609) 737-3100, Ext. 546.
