Staff At the Ocean Acres Community Center, Stafford Township’s Police Youth Academy concluded with a victorious graduation ceremony following a week of exercises, discipline, and exploration.
In order to honor a group of middle school students who spent a week of their summer vacation seeing firsthand what law enforcement is like, the room was crowded with proud families, officers, and at least one township official. There were an equal number of boys and girls in this year’s class, which consisted of pupils starting sixth and seventh grade.
Rose DeAlessandro, a 12-year-old cadet, was one of the most notable this year. She assumed a leadership role halfway through the week. Rose received the Leadership Award, one of numerous awards given out at graduation, for her poise and confidence in keeping her fellow cadets in order. Ethan Gonzalez (Service Above Self), Summer Pascale (Top Female PT), and Gunnar Zebrowski (Top Male PT) were among the other honorees.
Returning for her second year at the academy, Rose, who is starting the seventh grade, expressed her admiration for the way the program combined excitement with structure.
“Learning how police officers and EMS perform their duties is my favorite part,” Rose remarked. I enjoy knowing the functions of the various pieces of equipment and their timetables.
Inspired by her late grandfather’s military service, she already has her sights set on a career in police enforcement.
She added, “I believe he would be proud.”
Class One Officer Tyler Verge, now 20, who is completing his criminal justice degree at Kean University, was one of the individuals assisting in leading the cadets. He used to wear the exact same uniform.
Verge praises the youth academy for starting a fire that never went out after completing it himself three years in a row in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Verge stated, “I’ve always wanted to work in law enforcement.” I aspired to be like my wrestling coaches, who were all police officers. Being a K-9 officer has always been my ambition.
Stafford Township uses a chief’s town system for hiring police officers, which means that its own entrance exam, physical fitness test, and selection procedure are used. Verge is on pace to become a full-time police in his hometown after completing all the requirements.
For me, it’s really important to be able to give back to the neighborhood where I was raised, Verge added. Since it shaped me, I advise the cadets to continue learning from every encounter.
police Anthony Vincent and Tyler Szwed had the most daily interaction with the cadets out of the eight police assigned to this summer’s Youth Academy. Both work as community policing unit members and PT teachers for the Stafford Police Department.
In order to establish a chain of command that emphasized accountability and teamwork, cadets were divided into squads with assigned leaders. Everyday operations included routine exercises and uniform inspections. Although students were expected to maintain discipline, they often seemed to return for a second year because they had fun.
Cadets rotated through practical exercises that mimicked real-world policing and emergency service positions during the week. They participated in simulated crime scene investigations, performed blood spatter analysis, and dusted for fingerprints. Up-close looks at patrol cars and specialized units were part of a tour of the police department.
Cadets were given a taste of Stafford’s marine unit by being given a ride out to Barnegat Light, and SWAT team members also demonstrated their skills. They even had the opportunity to watch a K-9 demonstration provided by the Department of Corrections and experience the repercussions of drunk driving in a simulation.
According to Vincent, they demonstrated the K-9s’ ability to locate devices, identify drugs, and deal with apprehensions.
Verge wasn’t the only person in uniform giving back to the neighborhood. Councilwoman Amy Otte, dressed in her EMT gear rather than her formal attire, was one of the grownups discreetly supporting the week’s events. Otte is currently the vice president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company, having joined the group in 1992. As cadets toured fire trucks and spoke with nearby EMTs, she joined other emergency services volunteers.
There was some lightheartedness throughout the week. Cadets had the opportunity to test their limits in a physical fitness competition, and a day at a nearby water park was a pleasant diversion from the rigorous academy regimen.
However, the experience’s influence extended beyond fake crime scenes and obstacle courses.
According to Officer Szwed, several cadets’ families could see the change in them. It appears that my child picked up some manners today, a parent informed me.
The future is already on the minds of Stafford Police. Students starting sixth or seventh grade that fall are eligible to apply for the 2026 Youth Police Academy, which will open in April of following year.
