Warwick Junior Police Academy holds its first 2024 graduation ceremony
Now in the program’s third year, 11 cadets graduated from the first session of the Town of Warwick Police Department Junior Police Academy in the outdoor theater at Mountain Lake Park on July 26, 2024. The academy is a collaborative effort between the police department and the Warwick Valley Central School District.
The cadets, students who reside in the Warwick, Florida and Pine Island school districts between the ages of 10 and 15, were celebrated for their commitment to the academy, which emphasizes public service and leadership. The program teaches the junior cadets many of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate qualities, including leadership, collaborative and communication skills, as well as citizenship and problem-solving.
School resource officers Dave Serviss, Katie Oresto, James Feragola, Bob Kenney and Kat Hulak run the 10-day program. The goal is for the children to have fun while gaining an understanding of the demands of police training and service. The Junior Police Academy included learning both in the classroom at Warwick Valley High School and offsite locations around Warwick. Students participated in daily physical training, lectures, presentations, hands‐on activities, and several interesting and educational fields trips.
Activities, lectures, presentations, workshops and field trips are led by members of the police department, New York State Troopers, other first responder agencies and local professionals.
“I want to thank the Class of 01-24 for the dedication that they put in for the last 10 days,” Town of Warwick Police Chief John Rader said during the ceremony. “I’ve heard nothing but good reports from their instructors. It’s one of those programs where the more you put into it the more you get out of it, and I think that they all got a lot out of the last 10 days. We hope that they all see the benefits of this program and take the lessons they’ve learned with them in their lives.”
The junior cadets were involved in activities such as processing a playground “crime scene” using investigation techniques, touring the Orange County Emergency Services Center and visiting TreEscape Aerial Adventure in Vernon, N.J. The children also learned defensive tactics; handcuffing techniques; CPR, bicycle and fire safety; and taekwondo, among other things.
Class president Ava Castro described the two-week program as a profound learning experience.
“This program has been more than just a series of life skill workshops and adventurous trips,” said Ava, who also won an outstanding leadership award. “The Warwick Junior Police Academy has taught me the value of effective communication and the importance of respect, empathy, collaboration and understanding.”
The second cadet class of the summer begins on August 5.
View a slideshow of photographs from the ceremony below:
