Police academy gives citizens inside look at law enforcement

Police academy gives citizens
inside look at law enforcement

Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley honored 41 residents from across Monmouth County for their successful completion of the Citizen Police Academy Re-Trainer program on April 30.

The Re-Trainer program consists of two successive Wednesday night sessions, including lecture and demonstration on the latest in law enforcement techniques and technology, according to a press release.

Subjects covered include the Senior Scan–Homeland Security program, understanding electronic crime against the elderly, and a presentation by Detective Stanley Field of the New Jersey State Police. All Re-Trainer attendees have previously graduated from the sheriff’s office Citizen Police Academy (CPA).

The CPA is an 11-week program offering citizens the opportunity to learn about the complex roles of modern-day law enforcement agencies.

According to the press release, the CPA is created to build lasting ties and to improve dialogue and understanding between law enforcement and residents. The program provides classroom instruction on a variety of law enforcement and public safety topics, including criminal investigations, forensics, gangs and violence, traffic safety, domestic violence, crime prevention, driving while intoxicated enforcement and emergency management.

Members are encouraged to serve as ongoing "goodwill ambassadors" for the law enforcement community, according to the press release.

CPA participants receive a 25-hour block of instruction from certified instructors and active law enforcement professionals. In addition to presentations from local law enforcement officers, the CPA provides interactive demonstrations and lectures from guest speakers. Participants receive demonstrations from the Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit, explore and investigate a simulated crime scene with the prosecutor’s office and watch a firearm demonstration.

"As a profession, law enforcement requires continuous training and constant skills evaluation and that is made perfectly clear throughout the 11-week program," Oxley said. "Our students make it their responsibility to serve as law enforcement ambassadors within their communities. This exemplary cooperation between citizens and law enforcement help keep Monmouth County a safe place to live, work and raise a family."