Junior Police Academy

By Mandy Coriston

Shell casings, tracking dogs, and a bomb robot were all part of Sparta Middle School crimes scenes last week for nearly 80 middle schoolers at the Sparta Junior Police Academy, designed to introduce the students to policing skills. The Junior Police Academy, which this year was held Aug. 21-23, is in its seventh year under the direction of Lt. John Lamon, who pours his lifelong passion into every aspect of the three-day camp.

The children spent hours studying and collecting evidence, learning firearm safety and marksmanship, talking through decision-making skills, and participating in physical fitness activities.

In one room, strobe lights created a disorienting affect as each student tried striking targets, using an Airsoft pistol (which shoots plastic pellets similar to classic metal BBs). Taking down targets including creepy clowns, proved harder than it looked. Corporal Dave Pridham encouraged and debriefed everyone.

“Good job,” Pridham told a young man. “You got shot by that clown, but you did shoot the right ‘bad guy’. Good reaction time.”

Lt. Lamon knows the importance of being able to learn in a fast-paced environment.

“We really want the kids to be active, really keep them moving and thinking,” he said. “We want them to get the most out of this experience.”

Down the hall, a squad tried deciphering clues to a burglary. Under direction of Detective Brian Hassloch and Officer Erick Finley, theories abounded about who broke into a cash box. Was it an employee of the victim? A bloody paper towel offered a clue.

“He must have cut his hand," one student said. "We should look for a suspect with a cut."

"Good thinking,” Hassloch said. “But what next? What if the guy says he cut himself doing something else?”

Two escape rooms also lent themselves to critical thinking skills, and Lamon worked hard to challenge the students.

“Lots of clues,” he said. “They’ll need to figure things out pretty quickly, but these kids are sharp.”

The camp also taught fingerprinting techniques, and had an obstacle course and range-shooting, also with Airsoft weapons; handguns and rifles. Chief of Police Neil Spidaletto’s daughter Peighton was in attendance, and loved the challenge.

“All she talked about last night was learning to shoot,” Spidaletto said. “She was really excited about it.”

The fire department and ambulance squad, and two motorcycle officers from the Paterson Police Department spoke to the youth, and New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Detective Joe Byra brought a bomb-defusing robot. The students were treated to a tracking demonstration by the Sussex County Sheriff Department’s bloodhound, Nutmeg, and her handler, Detective Catherine Young. Representatives of the Center for Prevention and Counseling brought Fatal Vision goggles and trainers from Titan Fitness. Weather delayed or prevented visits from the NJSP NorthStar and Atlantic Air helicopters.

“Make sure you get your stories turned in,” Lamon told the students as they were eating lunch on Day 2 of the Academy, referring to a Mad Libs-style story blank he’d given them. “Best one gets a prize.”

The Sparta Junior Police Academy concluded on Friday, Aug 23, with a picnic lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs at the Mohawk House. State Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) visited briefly with the students and brought a certificate of recognition for each. Spectators crammed the patio behind the restaurant as each participant received a medal and certificate, and awards were given for marksmanship. Lamon also awarded the Academy’s first Future Detective award to Ava Miller, for her exceptional work during the crime scene investigations.

“I’m just so proud of all these kids,” Lamon said, “They worked really hard and embraced everything we threw at them.”