The law enforcement profession has 60 brand new prospects. Third through seventh graders from throughout Harrison County participated in the 2018 FOP Lodge #78 Junior Police Academy held June 25-29 at Bridgeport Middle School.

 

Ending with a graduation – attended by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other proud family members – the five-day academy started with an overview of law enforcement.

 

“We told the kids that this academy was very much like the real academy that we had attended,” said Bridgeport Police Officer Jamie Hamrick.

 

Hamrick and Police Officer Christopher “Bart” Sayers headed up instruction with assistance by fellow Bridgeport Police, Clarksburg Police, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, among others.

 

“We also had other departments that police work with – like fire and emergency – come and share a little about what they do,” Hamrick said.

Bridgeport Fire Department brought the ladder truck, giving cadets an up-close-and-personal look.

 

Cadets also learned about gun safety; top shots in each age bracket awarded prizes courtesy of Mountaineer Arms. HealthNet paid a visit as did the HCSD K-9 unit. The cadets even got a hands-on lesson in crime scene investigation.

 

“They went out on the walking trail to find clues and interview people,” Hamrick said.

 

Hamrick said applications were distributed at elementary and middle schools in April. Students in grades 3 through 7 who had at least a 2.0 grade point average were eligible to attend the free camp, funded through money raised by FOP Lodge #78.

 

One question on the application asked students why they were interested in attending the academy.

 

“It was neat to see some of their answers,” Hamrick said. “Some said they watched police shows on TV and wanted to learn more about what policemen really do and some said they are interested in becoming a police officer someday.”

 

Hamrick said some kids attend the academy each summer, which in previous years was held at Gore and most recently at Mountaineer Middle School. There were also many new faces. Hamrick said it is impressive to see what they learn over the course of five days. After completing two junior police academies, participants are eligible to apply to be a senior cadet. Those senior cadets are handpicked and given special privileges and serve as helpers.

 

The academy took place 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. June 25-28 and ended early June 29 with a 1:30 p.m. graduation.

 

Proud graduates marched into the BMS gymnasium. Sayers headed up the ceremony during which each graduate received a certificate and shook hands of various law enforcement officers.

 

Some were familiar. Among graduates of this year’s class were children of Sayers, Bridgeport Patrol Officer L.D. Janssen, Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny and Director of Bridgeport Emergency Services Laura Pysz.

 

Danica Pysz said she was interested in the junior police academy because she wanted to experience a small bit of what the real  academy was like and see the training endured. 

 

"I wanted to have a bit of training myself and the motivation to stay in shape," she said. "I liked the K-9 demonstrations and running the best."

 

Pysz said it was an honor to watch her daughter and the other 59 kids complete this year’s academy.

 

“They learn what police officers go through and get a glimpse into the public safety realm,” she said. “They also gain a respect for the officers.”

 

One new element added to this year’s academy was a car wash, teaching cadets about community service. The service, for which cadets made signs and washed cars, was free.

 

Hamrick thanks everyone who was involved in this year's academy and BMS Principal Dave Mazza. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy of Laura Pysz, Bridgeport Police Officer Jamie Hamrick and Melissa Matheny.