MONMOUTH COUNTY – Sheriff Shaun Golden handed certificates to 47 participants who completed the 30th annual Sheriff Youth Week Program.
The highly recognized program is not your ordinary summer camp. It provides high schoolers with a unique opportunity to explore interests in law enforcement through police academy-style training, exercise activities and instructional sessions.
This year, recruits also had the opportunity to explore a NJ State Police helicopter and learned how it’s used.
The five-day camp began with the sheriff telling recruits to bring energy, enthusiasm and excitement with them each day.
“We are so proud of the entire Sheriff Youth Week class for staying the course and commend all for completing this intensive week of law enforcement training. At the beginning of the week, I tell the recruits that they if they are engaged and excited about this program, it will be an experience of a lifetime,” Golden said. “Sheriff Youth Week provides our youth to explore the realm of possibilities of a career in public safety. As a result, many will become future leaders in law enforcement.”
Recruits would begin each day with drills and end them with exercise. Throughout the week, they learned about various law enforcement topics and agencies as well as an overview of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement, Communications and Corrections Divisions and the Office of Emergency Management.
A major part of this year’s program involved recruits spending time with the Monmouth County Fire Academy, where they got to learn what it takes to become a firefighter. This included a tour of the smoke house, learning how to handle a hose and climbing the ladder.
Another day was spent at the Situational Training and Response Simulator, STARS facility where recruits learned about the VirTra Simulator, a decision making and tactical firearms virtual threat simulator which is equipped with five large screens and shows real life scenarios.
In addition, recruits watched several demonstrations such as K9s, Project Lifesaver, vehicle simulators, drones, dive team and motor vehicle stops, as well as a display of special operations and equipment.
They also watched presentations on drug awareness, and entire regimen of health and fitness including a 5-K run.
A total of 47 recruits participated in this year’s Sheriff Youth Week Program. (Photo courtesy Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office)
“This experience as a sheriff youth week recruit has been great. I’ve learned so much through the presentations, physical fitness and the interactive displays. Sheriff Youth Week was very inspiring and a career in law enforcement sounds great,” said Jaxson Adkins, Manalapan.
“It’s been challenging but a lot of fun and you have to be motivated. The program has made me respect those who work in law enforcement because you learn what goes in to protecting the public,” said Jacenia Furman, Neptune.
“This is my second year participating in Sheriff Youth Week and there is nothing like it. I hope to attend West Point and possibly pursue a career in law enforcement after that. I think programs like this open your eyes to all aspects of law enforcement since it’s a great opportunity to learn and helps pave the way toward the future,” said Jake Dembowski, Middletown.
Photo courtesy Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
“The instructors do a great job, they challenge you and I’ve learned so much about all aspects of law enforcement. I also made new friends and it’s been a great experience,” Matteo Thompson, Tinton Falls.
The late Hon. Deputy Sheriff William Wingard and his wife, Marie, of New Jersey Gravel & Sand in Wall Township were recognized during this year’s graduation. Since 1992, the Wingard family has been the sponsors of Sheriff Youth Week.
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