About 100 kids from across the county are in Mahwah for the eighth annual Bergen County Youth Police Academy, held every summer at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute on Campgaw Road.

The Academy is a two-week camp that is offered to local high school-age students, free of charge. The camp is funded through the use of funds forfeited from criminal enterprises. This year’s Academy, which began Monday, runs through next Friday. 

The motto of the Bergen County Youth Police Academy is “Honor – Respect – Commitment.”  The objective is to educate the cadets about public service including county government, the judiciary, emergency services and law enforcement. 

“Our academy is an invaluable opportunity for local youth,” stated Prosecutor John L. Molinelli. “Similar to an actual police academy experience, each day’s activities are interactive, educational and hands-on, with personal training directly from law enforcement professionals.”

In the coming days, the Academy has field trips planned to Ground Zero, a Jackals game, the Hackensack Fire Department, and West Point. The cadets at the Academy will also participate in on-site training events, like Crime Scene Investigation and Physical Training.

Academy events will culminate with a graduation ceremony to be held at the Bergen County Academies auditorium in Hackensack on July 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Get more information on the program here.

Information provided by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

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