Little Falls Police Salute 2023 Junior Police Academy Cadets

from Passaic Valley August 2023

When Is A Chiropractor Needed?

By Tina Pappas

The Little Falls Junior Police Academy was back again in its fifth year of transforming middle school students into cadets and giving them a taste of what it’s like to be a police officer, including a look at other careers in law enforcement.

The Little Falls Police Department (LFPD) runs the five-day program each summer for one week, that culminates in a ceremony bestowing certificates of completion for those who made it through boot camp. This year’s week-ending ceremony was held at School No. 1 on June 30.

Some of the action-packed activities in this year’s program comprised of CPR demonstrations, administering basic first aid, how to use a tourniquet, examining a state police chopper and a visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary, located in Philadelphia.

Police Chief Bryan Prall spoke to the cadets and their families that gathered prior to distributing the certificates. He acknowledged those who have helped the program come to fruition each year, which includes Mayor James Damiano and Township Council, who were on-hand for the ceremony. He also thanked the LFPD officers who devote their own time to take part in the program, and thanked the parents of all the participants this year.

“Thank you for trusting us to take care of your kids this past week,” he said.

He also said that partnerships are vitally important for running the program, including the schools and businesses of the community.

“The program is widely beneficial for us to have, especially in 2023, to increase engagement with kids in the community and the relationships they’ve created with the officers will continue,” he noted. “Congratulations!”

According to Corporal Jon Vanak, who runs the program, it’s become a tradition of the program to acknowledge a recruit that stood out during the week and is then selected by the instructors for demonstrating leadership, as well as putting forth effort in the different activities performed by the cadets. Elijah Pariona was selected to

Junior Police Academy Cadets

year’s class flag that was carried throughout the week.

Vanak also expressed his thanks to everyone who helped make the program a success, consisting of Chief Prall, Mayor Damiano, the Township Council, Little Falls Schools Superintendent Tracey Marinelli, the Little Falls Board of Education, and the school’s custodial staff.

“I put this program together in February and whenever we need anything they are open to us,” he said.

ditionally, Vanak thanked the Little Falls Municipal Alliance for the cadet uniforms, Passaic County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, Gun for Hire in Woodland Park, Final Round Health and Fitness, the Little Falls Fire Department, and Academy Bus for transportation to the Eastern State Penitentiary..

“I’d also like to thank the New Jersey State Police who flew in the helicopter yesterday and Passaic Valley High School, allowing us to use its facilities and land the helicopter added. “That’s always awesome and it leaves the kids talking about it all week.”

Mayor Damiano said the Junior Police Academy of Little Falls is an outstanding program offered to young residents.

“Graduation day is especially exciting for them when they walk across the stage and receive their diplomas after a week of hard work here in town,” he added.

Jessica Pariona, mother of Elijah, said the program is beneficial for children.

“It helps them learn to work together and and also meet with all the officers,” she said.

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