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Sea Girt, N.J. - First Assistant Attorney General Phillip Kwon and Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Hatfield, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security today hosted commencement exercises for 98 high school seniors from across the state as they completed a weeklong, police-oriented educational program as part of the 87th Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police Trooper Youth Week training class. The class is one of four training classes to participate in the prestigious and competitive program over the summer months.

"This experience serves as an important stepping-stone to a career in law enforcement, or any other career choice they may pursue. We commend them for completing the training and preparing themselves to become the future leaders of our state," said Kwon.

"The training and discipline the participants in this program received gives them a glimpse into the rigorous training and commitment it takes to becomes a law enforcement officer, specifically a Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Trooper. We have seen it have a profound impact on their lives and prepare them for their future endeavors," said Hatfield.

Sponsored by the Department of Law & Public Safety and the Division of State Police, the Trooper Youth Week training program, which began in 1965, provides young people interested in a law enforcement career with "real life" police experience. Over the 45-year history of the program, an estimated 5000 students have participated. Many of the graduates have gone on to careers in law enforcement on the federal, state, county, and local level. To date, 78 Trooper Youth Week graduates have joined the ranks of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police.

The "future" Troopers of the 84th, 85th, 86th, and 87th Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police Trooper Youth Week training classes participated in a wide range of activities – activities that simulate the actual police recruit training experience. The Trooper Youth cadets were exposed to the regimen of reveille, roll call, academic classes, challenging physical fitness training and actual police field exercises.

As part of the training program, State Police instructors placed special emphasis on exposing the Trooper Youth cadets to the unique pressures and problems associated with illegal drug use, teen violence and the aftermath of violent and deadly acts. The students also learned about Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ’s vast cultural diversity and the constitutional guarantees afforded all citizens.

Additionally, the Trooper Youth cadets explored practical and theoretical areas of police science, including the history and functions of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police; crime scene investigation procedures; firearms safety; CPR and lifesaving techniques; motor vehicle law and safety; the rapidly expanding use of computers and technology in police work; teenage drinking and driving; and overall exposure to police work.

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