Last week, the Nutley Police Department welcomed students for its free, week-long Junior Police Academy as the program marked its 10th anniversary. Since its start in 2013, the Academy has greatly improved, becoming a township staple over the years under the leadership of Nutley Police Lieutenant Michael Padilla. During the week of June 26th, students from grades 5-8 gathered at John H. Walker Middle School to learn basic police fundamentals including marching, self-defense and crime scene processing, while participating in a variety of presentations.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone who participated in this year’s Junior Police Academy,” Public Safety Director Alphonse Petracco says. “It was an incredible turnout and I want to especially thank all of the police officers, firemen and EMTs for taking the time to educate our Township’s youth in public safety. It was a rewarding experience for all.” 

According to Padilla, one of the biggest challenges in the 21st century for students is managing the constant presence of social media. This was a major topic explored throughout the week of the Junior Police Academy. “It’s easy to become desensitized by smartphone activity and lose awareness of the real world,” Padilla says. “We attempt to teach students how decisions affect others and how, despite the increased use of social media, we must continue to be mindful of one another.” By the conclusion of the week’s events, there was a significant difference in how students interacted with each other as they held the door for one another and spoke to people they previously hadn’t. It was clear the message of mindfulness had been received. 

In addition to exploring real-world awareness in the face of social media, eager  students also experienced firsthand crime scene processing and obtained valuable investigation skills. Following directions, discipline and respect are the key traits needed by a first-responder or law enforcement official, and each of those areas  were emphasized throughout the course of the week. In addition, a special opportunity was provided to Nutley High School students interested in a law enforcement career as they were able to serve as squad leaders. Valuable lessons were learned by all in attendance as they worked on team-building while doing drills as a unit to complete tasks and learn further about police equipment. 

Student Ryan Kenny has participated in the program for five years. He started off as a blue shirt (beginner) and has since moved up in rank to a yellow shirt, signifying his advancement to a leadership role. “As a blue shirt, I learned how to form a team and work together as a group,” he notes. In his upgraded position, this year, he “found new confidence to be able to speak out and grow as an individual.” 

Similarly, recent Nutley High School graduate Milan Ramirez participated in the program last year and spoke of being highly “impressed by everything the police department did to make it all happen.” As she explained, “I want to go into the criminal justice field so it’s a really good experience for me to be able to have this background knowledge and apply it to my future endeavors.” 

On the final day of the program, students were celebrated for their efforts and hard work through a graduation ceremony. Lt. Padilla spoke of the program’s ability to run all these years without ever having to charge. “Our goal is to make the academy all inclusive for everyone,” he said. “We want everyone to have equal opportunity. That’s important to what we do.” As a result the police department hopes to create a welcoming environment among residents to “be comfortable to be able to talk to us in what’s going on and and how we can help because that is our job,” Padilla added. With special opportunities, including bringing in the EMS, participants were able to learn CPR and develop necessary communication skills that will ultimately build their life resume. 

The Junior Police Academy is constantly looking at feedback from parents and students to evolve its structure and keep the camp sustainable. Students are encouraged to return and will encounter new speakers and activities to keep them engaged in the following years. One parent, Gina Thomas, shared her daughter’s incredible experience in a Facebook post: “A big thank you to Nutley PD, Fire and EMS during this week for the Junior Police Academy. Gia was born profoundly deaf and she uses American sign language to communicate. Participating in large events is very challenging for her, but this team made it possible for my girl to have the best time of her life. Police officers are her favorite so spending a week hanging out with them made her dream come true.” 

Next year, the program will return to Spring Garden School; Padilla is excited to invite new helping hands as the program continues to adapt in creating impactful experiences for the children. “The continuing success of our program would not be possible without the efforts of Commissioner Petracco, Chief Strumolo and Deputy Chief Green and many others,” Lieutenant Padilla stated. “Everyone working together to make the JPA succeed is truly representative of the Nutley community.”