Cliffside Park NJ, a tense, five-hour standoff in Cliffside Park concluded late Friday evening, November 28th, after the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team deployed tear gas to take an armed man into custody. The suspect, identified as Oliver Checo, was wanted in connection with an unprovoked knife attack on a store owner in neighboring Fairview just hours earlier.
Ridgewood NJ, The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Bergen County Youth Police Academy – Class #13.
The Academy is a two-week “day camp” (Monday through Friday) that is offered to qualified Bergen County high school students who are entering the 9th, 10th , 11th and 12th grades, free of charge. The camp is funded through the use of monies forfeited from criminal enterprises, and is staffed by members of the Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office. This year’s Academy will run from June 26 through July 7, 2017.
The motto of the Bergen County Youth Police Academy is “Honor – Respect – Commitment.” The objective is to educate young people about public service including emergency services, law enforcement, and government agencies.
“Designed by law enforcement professionals, the Academy provides high school students with a real understanding of what police academy cadets experience,” stated Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal. “This is a unique opportunity for young people to focus on strengthening their life skills of self-respect, respect of others, teamwork, and commitment to one’s goals.”
The curriculum will consist of hands-on, interactive educational activities as well as physical training activities. Daily programs include presentations from educators, interaction with county agencies, and field trips. The cadets will be given exposure to available state and county resources.
The Youth Police Academy will be held at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, and is headquartered at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack. Application forms are available at local high schools, police departments or online at www.BCPO.net (at Resources tab), and must be submitted by Friday, April 14, 2017. Space is limited. If you have any questions, contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Community Outreach unit at 201-226-5509, or [email protected].
