By Lauren Wanko
Correspondent
Meet the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office newest recruits — youth recruits.
“Our recruits are being exposed to the type of training that regular police officers are being exposed to,” said Monmouth County Under Sheriff Ted Freeman.
These teens are part of a week-long program open to all Monmouth County high school students. Today’s rigorous physical training includes rock wall climbing, zip lining, running and swimming at the Neptune High School.
“We don’t call it an average summer camp. They come for a week at the Monmouth County Police Academy, they tour, they’re treated like recruits to an extent,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. “We educate them on various aspects of law enforcement and public safety.”
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Annual Youth Week began in 1992 with just 16 recruits. Today, more than 130 teens are part of the free program, which is sponsored by a local business.
There are similar programs in other towns and counties throughout the state.
“This is something that teaches you discipline, also teaches you how to have character,” said 14-year-old Olivier Fortune.
Fortune hopes to become a surgeon. Still he wanted to sign up for the sheriff’s program.
“Even if you are in the medical career, you need discipline in whatever you do,” he said.
Manasquan High School student Richard Orozco returned for the third summer.
“They actually pushed us to be more successful and to think harder and make sure we’re always sharp and look out for each other,” the 17-year-old said.
Eighteen-year-old Paige Connors plans to study criminal justice in college.
“It kinda gives you an idea of what you’re gonna be faced with when you’re in the police academy and stuff like that,” she said.
“Kids are the future of law enforcement. If you don’t plant the seed for this career, of this profession now, they’re not gonna consider it as they go to college,” Freeman.
It was a day of firsts for Neptune Township student Imani Tinsley who swam, climbed the rock wall and zipped lined, all for the very first time, her peers and instructor cheering her on along the way.
“It feels great. I feel proud of myself, like I pushed myself very hard,” Tinsley, 15, said.
“There aren’t enough women law enforcement and I feel it’s good to have us in different situations with other women,” said Connors.
“It’s encouraging to see diversity all around. We’ve had more and more females and more and more of our diverse populations. And it’s been really encouraging too see that participation,” Golden said.
The recruits will graduate on Friday.