MONMOUTH COUNTY – The 28th annual Sheriff Youth Week Program kicked off on July 12, welcoming 59 participants to learn about commitment, attitude and perseverance.
This program is not your ordinary summer camp. It provides high schoolers with a unique opportunity to explore interests in law enforcement through police academy-style training, exercise activities and instructional sessions.
“We are so proud of the entire Sheriff Youth Week class for staying the course and commend all for completing this intensive week of law enforcement training. At the beginning of the week, I tell the recruits that they if they bring energy, excitement and are engaged in this program, it will be an experience of a lifetime,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “Sheriff Youth Week provides our youth to explore the realm of possibilities of a career in public safety. As a result, many will become future leaders in law enforcement.”
The week-long program had recruits begin their day with drills and ended them with exercise. They learned about several different law enforcement topics and agencies, such as an overview of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement, Communications and Corrections Divisions.
Some of the day-to-day interactive sessions recruits engaged in were mock drills from the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, MOCERT. They also got to spend one of the days at the Situational Training and Response Simulator, STARS facility.
In addition, the program consisted of rotational groups where recruits learned about the VirTra Simulator, a decision making and tactical firearms virtual threat simulator, which is equipped with five large screens and shows real life types of scenarios. K9, Project Lifesaver, vehicle simulator, drone, dive team and motor vehicle stop demonstrations were performed, as well as a display of special operations and equipment.
The program also held presentations on vaping and opioid awareness, internet safety, women in law enforcement, emergency medical awareness training and bicycle patrol with an interactive police bicycle course, and an entire regimen of health and fitness including a 5-K run.
“This has been a great experience. I’ve learned so much through the presentations, discussions and interactive displays and enjoy the program. After being here, I decided that I want to pursue a career in law enforcement,” Noah Foggy from Keansburg said.
“It’s been wonderful. I really enjoyed everything from the drill to the physical training. It is all fun and interesting. I want to be a detective and Sheriff Youth Week helps me narrow down what division of law enforcement I would like to pursue,” Joseph Martino from Howell Township said.
“I love it. This is my third year. I might want to be a state trooper so coming here provides me with such a great experience,” Kristin LaValle from Colts Neck said.
On July 16, the graduation ceremony was held certificates were handed out by Golden to each participant.
