Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden began a recent week by talking to the 119 Sheriff Youth Week recruits about the meaning of a team, “Together Everyone’s Actions Matter.” He ended the week on graduation day by handing the recruits their certificates in recognition of completing the 25th annual Sheriff Youth Week program.
The program ran from July 10-14, according to a press release. The program presents high school aged students with an opportunity to explore interests in law enforcement through police academy style training, exercise activities and instructional sessions.
“I am proud of the entire Sheriff Youth Week class for staying the course and commend them for completing this intensive week of law enforcement training,” Golden said. “The program provides the graduates with an opportunity to explore the realm of possibilities of a career in public safety. As a result, many will become our future leaders in law enforcement.”
Each day began with drill and ended with exercise. During the week, the participants learned about law enforcement topics and agencies. An overview of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division, the 911 Communications Division and a tour of the Monmouth County Correctional Division were provided, according to the press release.
Interactive sessions included a mock drill from the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team. The recruits spent one day at the Situational Training and Response Simulator (STARS). A highlight at STARS was the VirTra Simulator, which is a decision making and tactical firearms virtual threat simulator equipped with five large screens and showing real life types of scenarios, according to the press release.
“I really like Sheriff Youth Week. It’s been a great experience to learn about the different aspects of law enforcement careers and it provided me with an understanding of what it is like to work in the profession,” said Matthew Mentonis of Marlboro.
Sgt. Maggie Freeman of the Manalapan Police Department, the Rev. John Morley, who is celebrating his 11-year anniversary as chaplain at the sheriff’s office, Francesca Dee, a Sheriff Youth Week graduate and volunteer/intern, and Richard Allen, principal of Poseidon Early College High School, a partner in creating programs with the sheriff’s office, were all recognized and presented with certificates, according to the press release.
Special recognition by members of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders was presented to William W. Wingard and his late wife, of New Jersey Gravel and Sand, Wall Township. The Wingards have been the sponsors of Sheriff Youth Week since 1992 and were acknowledged at the graduation ceremony for their dedication and commitment throughout the years, according to the press release.