Area teens explore law enforcement

Area teens explore
law enforcement

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Mon-mouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley attended graduation ceremonies for 23 local young people who successfully completed the annual Sheriff’s Youth Week program. The ceremonies were held at the Monmouth County Police Academy on July 28.

The Sheriff’s Youth Week offers young people age 14 and older the opportunity to explore interests in law enforcement through police academy-style training, exercise programs and instructional sessions.

Oxley commended the graduates of the Sheriff’s Youth Week program saying, "By your dedication and commitment to the excellence of completing this program, you’ve gained a unique perspective of the many missions and responsibilities of today’s law enforcement officers. Each year, I look forward to offering this program and I’m proud to add each of your names to the growing ranks of Youth Week graduates."

This year, 23 young people from across Monmouth County enrolled to learn more about careers in law enforcement, including David Bates, Chris Gant, Thomas Holmstedt, Bret Jones, Mike Mahan, Raymond Mattia and Andrew Merola of Freehold.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, many of the recruits have relatives currently serving in law enforcement and joined Sheriff’s Youth Week to gain a better understanding of the duties officers perform.

The participants completed a week of instructional sessions, interactive demonstrations, exercise and drills. The young people received presentations by the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT), Secret Service, U.S. Customs, ID fingerprinting and the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit.

Sheriff’s Officer Christopher Donadio introduced the young people to "Jake," a German shepherd specially trained to locate illegal drugs.

The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad demonstrated the latest equipment used to detect and disarm explosive devices. One of the youth week recruits was fitted with a blast protection suit worn by the State Police unit.

The Kevlar suit and helmet together weigh more than 80 pounds and are designed to withstand a blast equal to 33 half-sticks of dynamite at a range of three yards. The youths were also treated to a demonstration of an armored robot equipped with cameras, tank-like treads and a remote-controlled mechanical arm.

The youth week participants also received a behind-the-scenes tour of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and the Monmouth County Courthouse. At the courthouse, the young people were able to sit in on part of a criminal trial.

The free program was conducted from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.