It is with great pleasure that I write my first article as Trumbull’s police chief and that the topic is the Trumbull Police Cadet program.
The purpose of a police cadet program is to allow adolescents, between the ages of 14 and 21, the opportunity to experience real law enforcement practices. The purpose of such a program is designed to help the cadet decide if law enforcement is a career option for them to consider. Along with such training and experience comes development of leadership skills and self-confidence, which will assist any person no matter what profession they choose.
For years the Trumbull Police Department has provided this service to the community. Cadets meet bi-weekly, invite guest speakers to talk about subjects of interest and plan trips and activities. Advisors explain what a cadet will be required to complete and what they should expect if they choose to become a police officer. They are shown proper techniques of policing and how services are provided to the community. Cadets work alongside or under the supervision of an Adviser and are trained in traffic control, accident investigation, crime scene basics and many other facets of policing. As a cadet grows in the program they can become sergeants, lieutenants and captains, within their peer group.
Cadets will also assist with a special needs dance in February and attend a Sound Tigers game in April. Some of their training will also consist of report writing, Constitutional law, searches, interview and interrogation, first aid and CPR training. In December, they will hold a toy drive and have a holiday banquet.
I recently attended the Trumbull Police Cadet holiday banquet and had the opportunity to meet many of the cadets and their families. I was very impressed with the camaraderie they displayed for one another and their desire to work as a team. It was evident to me that the youths involved in this program are dedicated to learning and serving the town in a very special way.
Cadets assist with traffic details at major events, such as Trumbull Day and the Memorial Day Parade, and work with police officers at ceremonial services. It was also my pleasure to have the cadets at my swearing in ceremony recently as police chief.
This coming summer the cadets will attend a week long Police Academy at the University of Hartford. The Trumbull Police Cadets presently work under the supervision of Lt. Ronald Kirby, Sgts. Brian Weir and Brian Falkenstein and Officers Tim Fedor, Michael Gonzales and Kelly Gonzales. Each of these officers are dedicated to the instruction of the youths that participate in the program and the professionalism needed for them to succeed. They also have a civilian advisor, Shirley Tyska, who also seeks to assist in the growth of the youths and the needs of the program throughout the year.
We should all be very proud of Trumbull’s Police Cadet Program.