HOWELL – Police Chief Andrew Kudrick honored the 10th graduating class of the Howell Police Athletic League/Police Youth Law Enforcement Academy during National Night Out on Aug. 6.
Graduation ceremonies for 39 young people were held at the Lanes Mill Plaza shopping center, Route 9.
The academy’s classes were held at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, Howell, on July 29-31 and Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 5-6. Young people entering the sixth through ninth grades were eligible to attend the academy, according to the program’s directors.
The cadets learned about the duties of a police officer, forensic investigations, fingerprinting, crime scene processing, firearms, the use of force, 911 communications, motor vehicle enforcement, self-discipline and respect.
Kudrick told the cadets he was proud of their achievements.
“I know that in the past seven days you went through some pretty physical activity and learned a lot. You got a condensed version of the actual police academy squeezed into seven days and you got to see many facets of law enforcement,” he said.
Kudrick praised the participants for choosing to be part of the youth academy and for looking toward their future during their summer vacation.
“While many of your friends were at home goofing off … you guys chose to basically start part of your profession. Whether you choose to go into law enforcement or whether you choose another career, I can tell you this, the foundations and your participation in these past seven days is absolutely going to benefit you throughout your lives. Make sure you put this on your resume, make sure you tell future employers you were a cadet in a law enforcement youth academy,” the chief said.
He praised the young people for their commitment to the community and told them that type of commitment is a major factor in the hiring process he follows in the Howell Police Department.
“That is one thing I look for, you will see it on our patches, you will see it all over our police department, you will see it on the side of our vehicles, about being committed to the community. All of you certainly were not only committed to this community, but to all the communities we represent. I know we have several communities, Millstone Township, Howell, Jackson, Spring Lake, represented here today,” Kudrick said.
The chief told the cadets, like he tells Howell police officers, that even though they are wearing Howell apparel, anywhere they go they represent their community.
“Just remember you have that Howell shirt on and you are a symbol of my agency; an agency that is filled with pride, dedication and respect. Howell has been a very well respected police department since it was founded in 1971. Every chief, from the first chief to me, we appoint those who represent our community, who are intelligent and educated … we provide the best training and the best equipment,” Kudrick said.
He said he hopes to see their resumes on his desk in the future and added, “I thank the parents for raising such fine young children.”
The cadets who were honored for their achievements during the academy were Dominick Grisanti, who received the Academic Award; Jerry Rogerson, who received the Physical Training Award; Samuel Polyanskiy, who received the Virtus In Arduo Award; and Haileigh Malachatka, who received the Chief’s Award.