BARNEGAT – The scene was set at the Joseph T. Donahue School, where a single white vehicle awaited the arrival of four squads of Barnegat Junior Police cadets. Dressed in navy uniforms with matching hats, personalized shirts, and logo shorts, young detectives aged 10-12 were ready to dive into their mock investigation.
The cadets followed instructions to leave their mark on the site, covering the car in a flurry of black handprints. Then they dusted and collected prints under the watchful eyes of Barnegat’s Investigative Unit.
All in a day’s work (or play) – for the 29 boys and six girls who signed up for this year’s Junior Police Academy. Patrol Officer Brian Weber, also Barnegat High School’s School Resource Officer (SRO), led the weeklong program and emphasized its unique role in educating cadets about law enforcement.
“The goal of the academy is to introduce the cadets to the many roles and functions that law enforcement officers have,” Weber explained. “The program is designed to resemble the actual police academy with daily physical fitness training and formation drills followed by classroom instruction and/or demonstrations.”
Other instructors of the Junior Academy team included Officers Nicole Lentini, Patrick Moran, and Chris Negron. All appeared to have been especially selected for their ability to connect with the group of adolescents and encourage them to learn and have fun.
The instructional team divided the 36 recruits into four squads, each with its own leader. A rising sixth grader, Olivia Merola, was back for her second round at the academy. She was selected as the 2024 overall class leader – and handled the job with remarkable seriousness.
Olivia wasn’t just playing a role; she dreams of becoming a real officer someday.
“I love it here,” said Olivia. “I love being pushed to my limits.”
Respect and teamwork were on full display at Barnegat’s Junior Police Academy. Young cadets consistently shared courteous responses to questions and requests with a prompt “Yes Sir” or “Yes Ma’am.” And it was clear that it was all done with lots of fun on the schedule.
The cadets’ days were packed with activities from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each day began with physical training (PT) and drills, setting the tone for a day of learning and excitement. Recruits learned about the Code of Conduct, formations, patrol procedures, motor vehicle stops, police pursuits, high-risk stops, and how SWAT teams work together.
Speed guns added a fun element as the cadets guessed the speed of passing cars.
The Barnegat First Aid Department stopped by, giving cadets a peek inside an ambulance and a chance to experience a stretcher. They also received a lesson in Advanced Life Support, courtesy of Hackensack Air Med One Aviation Unit.
As far as the fingerprinting techniques were concerned, the cadets learned from none other than three out of four members of Barnegat’s detective bureau. Detectives James Purcell and Robert Armstrong once led the Academy themselves.
Sgt. Vincent Damiano from the same unit also helped the recruits collect fingerprints. However, Damiano added another layer of excitement when he launched a drone that soared nearly 400 feet into the sky, showcasing the high-tech tools officers use in their work.
Barnegat’s Crime Reduction Unit also visited the recruits, discussing the serious issues of narcotics and gangs. The highlight for many cadets was watching the K-9 unit in action, marveling at the diligent efforts of the trained police dogs.
One of the days took the recruits to the Ocean County Training grounds, where they also met up with other local junior police academies. The highlight of that day was a thrilling boat ride provided by the New Jersey State Police’s Marine Unit. This experience was particularly valuable for local recruits living near the water, introducing them to another crucial aspect of law enforcement.
But it wasn’t all crime scenes and emergency vehicles. The academy stressed safety, too, with lessons on everything from firearm safety to internet smarts to fire safety from the Barnegat Fire Department, who also visited with their equipment.
Weber said the Junior Police Academy fostered collaboration and acknowledged the support of external agencies, including the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Barnegat First Aid, Barnegat Fire, NJSP Marine Unit, Ocean County SWAT, and Meridian Health Aviation Unit.
