Atlantic City Junior Police Academy Builds Discipline, Confidence and Leadership Skills
Twenty-nine students completed the Atlantic City Junior Police Academy at Pennsylvania Avenue School, gaining hands-on experience in law enforcement, physical fitness, responsibility and drug awareness.
ATLANTIC CITY – The Atlantic City Junior Police Academy introduced 29 students to the fundamentals of law enforcement through a program hosted at Pennsylvania Avenue School.
Some students who began the program reluctant about the workouts and physical training finished with a sense of pride in what they had accomplished.
Sgt. Mohammed Kaiser said the program gives students a firsthand look at what it takes to become a police officer. Organizers hope participants will later join the Police Explorer program and eventually pursue careers in law enforcement.
“We take it very seriously,” Kaiser said. “We want to make them excited about law enforcement.”
Kaiser said he could envision some of the students becoming police officers because many of the most effective officers serve in the communities where they grew up and have established relationships with residents.
On a typical day, the sounds of physical training can be heard throughout the gymnasium and playground. Cadets respond to questions with “Sir, yes sir” or “Ma’am, yes ma’am.” Officers provide corrections, and students are challenged to think quickly and work together.
“We’re trying to make them physically and mentally tough,” Kaiser said. “We teach them discipline, determination and exercise.”
Many students admitted that the program took some getting used to.
Jha’mir Walker, who will be an eighth-grade student at Uptown School Complex this fall, said he initially struggled with the workouts and did not enjoy the strict atmosphere. However, he persevered and developed new skills.
“I learned how to pick up after myself, be responsible and I learned the phonetic alphabet,” Walker said.
Students also learned about the dangers of nicotine and illegal drugs.
“When you keep smoking, your lungs turn black and you can die from smoking,” said Na’Shira Taylor, who will be a sixth-grade student at New York Avenue School this fall.
Skylar Moore, who will be a sixth-grade student at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex, learned information that could help family members and friends avoid dangerous substances.
“Drugs can look like candy, but they may have a slightly different label,” Moore said.
Kaiser said that despite the challenges, students ultimately embraced the experience.
The Atlantic City Junior Police Academy runs two sessions each summer. The first was held at Pennsylvania Avenue School. The second is being held at Richmond Avenue School for 35 new recruits.
“The first three days, they hate it,” Kaiser said. “But once they get used to it, they love the structure.”
To see a gallery from the Atlantic City Junior Police Academy, click the link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XTCHB5xC54XLb7yG9
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