With the pressures of high school looming ahead, one can never underestimate the value of a week.
The Guttenberg Junior Police Academy, a week-long program run by the Police Department, is aimed at instilling values and discipline in the lives of elementary school students. At its core are five dedicated police officers tasked with handling nearly 50 students selected from Anna L. Klein Elementary School, a number that equates to roughly 5 percent of the student body.
With only one week to make an impact, officers organized and prepared an assiduous itinerary comprised of assemblies, roll calls, and of course, field trips.
“They not only have a police officer here, they also have a friend for life from us.” – Investigator Leonardo Ramirez
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“We’re trying to do it on as wide a scope as possible,” said Barker. “We expose them to a totally different aspect of not only policing but everything else.”
The program
At the beginning of the program, students are instructed to sort themselves into alphabetical order. Structured to resemble an actual police academy, the group is then split into five squads, with certain students chosen as squad leaders.
Students who do not fulfill their duties are instructed to do push-ups or jumping jacks. If squad leaders do not live up to their expectations, they are demoted and replaced.
Quickly after orientation, the group is instructed to march from the school to North Hudson Park, while singing cadences and the Guttenberg Police Department motto.
“This group, at a rapid pace, came together very quickly,” said Barker. “[They were able to] not only receive the discipline that we’re trying to impose on them but actually, under stress, handle it and perform exceptionally.”
The students – in for a rude awakening initially – are also given plenty of unwinding time, especially on long bus trips.
“We drop our guards so the kids can be kids at this time,” said Ramirez, who added that the moment the students are off the bus, they know that it’s back to following orders.
The itinerary this summer included trips to the Hudson County Jail, North Hudson Park, United States Military Academy at West Point, and the Statue of Liberty, where students were allowed to gain access to areas not typically open to visitors.
The response
“I love it, it’s fun,” said Michael Sainato, 12, a member of the academy. Sainato added that his favorite trip was to West Point.
“Basically they taught us how life is in the military,” said Maria Henao, 13. “We got to learn how it was to live in jail, we went to the Statue of Liberty, [and] West Point. And we saw a helicopter. It was really cool.”
“When we were up at West Point these kids were phenomenal,” said Ramirez. “It’s incredible – the response from the kids is incredible.”
The officers often intentionally provoked responses from the students. In one instance, the children were told that an officer would be leaving them – in which case the kids, on their own accord, sent an overwhelming amount of letters to both the lieutenant and captain, pleading for that officer to remain as the academy’s drill instructor.
Officers also spoke of how their students were often seen wearing their pins after graduation, and even saluting officers when bumping into them around town.
“They not only have a police officer here,” said Ramirez, “they also have a friend for life from us.”
“The reward in the end is the finished product,” said Barker. “They’re functioning as a group and they actually understand our academy mottos –honor, respect, commitment.”
Barker continued, “I really believe that this is where the impact starts in their lives. They can take this and apply it to whatever their talent is, or whatever goals [they have]. That’s the reward.”
As they watched over the video showing highlights of this year’s academy, the officers became emotional. “It’s like adopting 46 kids for a week,” said Barker.
“In 25 years this is the best program I’ve ever been involved with,” said Conversano, the commanding officer of the program. “These officers here were tremendous. It cannot be done without the love that they have and the passion that they have for the children.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.