Cherry Hill offers Junior Police Academy

CHERRY HILL Township youngsters can sample a real-life Law & Order this summer at the first Cherry Hill Junior Police Academy.

Open to residents ages 11 through 14, the program is intended to give children with an interest in law enforcement and public service the opportunity to experience the challenges and responsibilities of police work. It is also meant to help build a positive relationship between police officers and young members of the community.

"I believe that this academy will be a rewarding experience for both the children and officers who participate," Chief Bud Monaghan said. "We want to open our doors to the community that we serve and develop long-lasting relationships between the children of Cherry Hill and the police."

The program will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20 to 24. Activities throughout the week will include lessons in drill and ceremony, physical training, school safety, anti-bullying, drug awareness, traffic safety, an introduction to special units, crime-scene processing and fingerprinting, and first aid.

Participants will also tour the juvenile detention center and Cherry Hill Fire Department Central Command. The week will conclude with a formal graduation ceremony on Friday afternoon.

"The Junior Police Academy will be an exciting and enriching opportunity for all involved, and we're proud to offer it to the residents of Cherry Hill," Mayor Chuck Cahn said.

Registration is $125 per person and will include lunch each day. Spots are limited; registration is now open. To download the full application packet and learn more, visit www.CherryHill-NJ.com.

For more information, call 856-488-7868 or e-mail Recreation@chtownship.com.

— Rita Giordano