Youth Police Academy offered

FREEHOLD - The Freehold Borough Police Department will conduct aYouth Police Academy this summer.

The Youth Police Academy is a six-day program for youths who are between the ages of 12 and 16. The active, hands-on program will introduce participants to all aspects of law enforcement. Guest speakers will include members of the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, New Jersey State Police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Homeland Security and theMonmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Participants will experience demonstrations and will be given the opportunity to practice what they have learned through hands-on exercises. Participants will experience military etiquette, drill and ceremony, handcuffing techniques, police K-9 interaction, basic criminal investigation, police baton training, first aid and fire safety.

The program will begin on July 25 and end with a graduation ceremony onAug. 1. For details and applications, visit www.fbpd.net or stop by police headquarters at 36 Jackson St.Applicationsmust be received by June 16. The program is open to children from all communities, but residents of Freehold Borough will be given first priority.

According to a press release, the Freehold Borough Youth Police Academy is being run with the support and cooperation of Mayor Michael Wilson, the Borough Council and Chief of Police Mitchell Roth. The coordinator of the Youth Police Academy is Patrolman Keith Bailey, an 18-year veteran of the department.