New Providence First Police Youth Academy

The first New Providence Police Youth Academy was conducted on July 11 to July 15 and was attended by 11-13 year old borough children. The academy was directed by Lt. Justine Kennedy and Det. Michael Hand. Instructors were Cpl. Chad Wilson, Ptlm. T.J. Hoppe, Ptlm. Nick Guerriero and Ptlm. Joseph Parlapiano.
The participants learned about military-style drilling and discipline. The cadets observed and investigated a “crime scene”. There were visits from the New Providence Fire Department, New Providence EMS, NJ State Police helicopter, Union County K9, Union County Bomb Squad and Union County SWAT Team. The class visited the John H. Stamler Police Academy and participated in the confidence course. They also got to observe their instructors in simulated shoot and don’t shoot situations through the use of the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). The cadets received a completion certificate during a ceremony. The program received support from Zita’s Ice Cream, Coppola Ristorante and TransOptions.
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