The Bayonne Police Department hosted a graduation on Friday for 10 students who completed the first Police Explorers Academy, a five-day commitment that took place last week.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The graduates are Luis Alvarez, Lourd Bantilan, Mohamed Elbaroudi, Zeyad Hendawy, Evelyn Martinez-Pena, Edwin Muniz, Carol Nosier, Benjamin Rosas, Melanne Soriano, and Philopater Zakahary.
“You should be proud of what you have accomplished. You earned this achievement through your effort, your discipline, and your willingness to learn. You are now the first graduating class of the Bayonne Police Explorer Academy. That distinction can never be taken away from you,” noted Police Chief Joseph Scerbo.
“I encourage each of you to continue learning, continue serving, and continue leading by example. Your community needs young people who are willing to make a positive difference, and I hope this experience has inspired you to do exactly that.”
The students trained from July 20th to July 24th, where classes and drills took place at Bayonne High School. Each day, they reported for line-up at 8:30 a.m. and trained until 4:30 p.m.
They received instructions each day from officers in various aspects of policing, such as the
Detective Bureau, the Traffic Division, SWAT, and Internal Affairs. The group also learned
about writing police reports.
Additionally, the students, ages 16 to 20, were trained using hands-on scenarios from the
police department, with officers leading their classes. The students also received physical training and performed sit-ups and push-ups.
Council President Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez saluted the graduates for their
“character, leadership, and commitment,” also calling the ceremony “a special
milestone.”
The Bayonne Police Explorers program provides young people with the opportunity to
learn about law enforcement through career-oriented training. Another goal of the program
is to build better relations between young people and the Bayonne PD.
The students will remain in the program and will receive higher-level education and
additional hands-on training, officials said.
