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Junior Academy coursework: from canine demos to helicopter rides, officers describe hands-on week
Summary
Detective Matthews and staff described the Junior Police Academy activities — team-building, motor-vehicle stop training, canine demonstrations, a helicopter demo and presentations from the FBI and New Jersey State Police — stressing leadership and character lessons.
Detective Matthews, who directed much of the academy work, outlined the program's mix of practical training and leadership lessons offered to recruits over five days.
"Throughout this week, you challenged yourselves, pushed beyond your comfort zones, and showed what can be accomplished through determination, discipline, and hard work," Matthews said, listing activities that included relay races, a police quiz, canine demonstrations, a helicopter demonstration near headquarters, and presentations from the FBI and New Jersey State Police.
Matthews emphasized that the most important lessons centered on character: "Character is choosing to do the right thing even when no one is watching," he said, urging recruits to apply those values regardless of future career paths.
The department thanked Middlesex County auxiliary drill instructors and multiple detectives who mentored recruits throughout the week and credited Edison TV for documenting the academy.
