Fifty Recruits Graduate Junior Police Academy

Friday night about 50 Hasbrouck Heights kids walked the stage at the high school auditorium marking their completion of the week-long Junior Police Academy as they were each handed a certificate. But what they really walked away with was a new knowledge of what law enforcement is really like.

This was the 13th year the , in conjunction with the , offered this program to students going into high school.

Company Commander Scott Salerno summed up what they all learned over the past week which included lessons in self defense, what officers need to do when they conduct a motor vehicle stop and more. Salerno said their class motto of “come as may leave as one” really is true as all the classmates worked together and really became a team.

Police Chief Michael Colaneri credited Sgt. Joseph Rinke and middle  school teacher Michael Stillman for the work they do putting the program together. The chief said it really gives the kids a taste of what law enforcement work is really like and why police officers do the things they do. He pointed out that this year's class was one of the largest.

Mayor Rose Heck commended the students for taking part in this program adding that she was pleased to see so more girls becoming involved with this program. She reminded all the students that they may one day find they want to become police officers pointing out that Officer Joseph Armelli was a member of the very first Junior Police Academy and 10 years later he joined the Heights police force.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Alana Quartuccio at alana.quartuccio@patch.com, or follow Hasbrouck Heights Patch on Facebook or Twitter. For news straight to your inbox sign up for the daily newsletter.