PAGE 16 COLONIA CORNER AUGUST 2015 TO CALL IN NEWS/ PLACE ADVERTISEMENTS (732)382-0273 OR COLONIACORNER@COMCAST.NET

JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMYBy Robert Hubner, Director,

Woodbridge Police Department

The Woodbridge Police Department (WPD) Office of Community Affairs, headed by Detective Joelle Slossberg, recently completed the eleventh and twelfth Annual Junior Police Academy classes at Colonia High School. Class Eleven was held July 6-10, and Class Twelve was held July 13-17th. This was the sixth year the WPD has hosted the Junior Police Academy for Woodbridge Township Middle School students attending Grades 6-8. The Junior Police Academy was developed to increase the WPD’s interaction with residents and students - specifically designed as an outreach to our Township’s youth. The program was designed to give an insight into police work and to teach team work and discipline. The WPD Junior Police Academy isn’t your typical summer camp and is not for everyone. On Monday morning of every academy class, the students arrive for roll-call under the watchful eye of the WPD Drill Instructors and by Friday after-noon, a team of graduates march into the graduation ceremony. The program offers a view of crime scene investigations, motor vehicle stops, the effects of drinking and driving (each student gets an opportunity to experience wear-ing the Fatal Vision Goggles which simulate the effects of being under the influence of al-cohol), a K-9 demonstration, a Special Operations Team (SWAT) demonstration (which includes a live fire demonstration by team members and a static display of weapons and equipment used by the team), a self-defense and physical fitness class, and the New Jersey State Police land one of their helicopters at the school which the students get a chance to see. The Junior Police Academy has become increasingly popular and is limited to 50 students per week. The Junior Police Academy is just one of the programs that is part of the WPD’s commitment to our Community Policing efforts. This program has been a great success due to the efforts of all the instructors who take part in the program. Information on the WPD Community Affairs programs is available on the Woodbridge Township website at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us in the police section or through our Community Affairs Office 732-726-2318.

Det. Mark Zeno and P.B.A. Local #38 President Det. Tom Della Sala show off their donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital from last year’s golf outing. The golf outing has been held at Colonia Country Club since it was started 6 years ago. All proceeds are donated to the hospital. This year’s outing was held on July 20, and proceeds look to surpass last years amount. Woodbridge P.B.A Local #38 is always giving to the community.

Pictured above, Drill Sgt. Eric Ransom poses with students at the 2015 Jr. Police Academy graduation at Colonia High School.

Woodbridge police officers, along with State Police and several other police depatments came together to raise money for “David Touch” last month during a Pool Tournament

that was held at the Woodbridge Community Center. David’s Touch donates toys to children that are sick.

Pictured right, cadets line up before graduation.