FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Aug. 1, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Police Host Third Successful Junior Police Academy

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department hosted a successful Junior Police Academy this summer.

In its third year, Melrose Police held three sessions in June and July, drawing in a total of 119 students.

Each one-week program was free and open to children ages 10 to 13. The courses were held at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School with outdoor activities on Fred Green Field. Classes ran from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily.

Participants completed physical training, including stretching, calisthenics, running, and competitive squad games aimed to test focus, speed and teamwork. Students also spent time in the classroom learning about investigations, patrol procedures, traffic, bullying, drugs and cyber safety to be informed about the dangers they could encounter when using technology.

“The Melrose Junior Police Academy has certainly proven to be a success year after year and we’re pleased that students came out for a week to learn what it’s like to be a Melrose Police Officer,” Chief Lyle said. “I would like to commend Sgt. Chuck Byrne, School Resource Officer Jim Applegate, Officer Al Brown and the countless other officers who taught different classes for their dedication and hard work. They are tremendous instructors and assets to this program.”

Melrose Police were excited to expand and continue the program this year to allow for additional children to attend. Prior to 2014, the course hadn’t been offered since the early 1980s. With assistance from the community, the Melrose Police Department relaunched the program for girls and boys. Sessions are taught by Melrose police officers and members of the Melrose Alliance Against Violence.

Melrose Police would like to thank Stephen’s Auto Body and Towing and the Melrose Substance Abuse Coalition for sponsoring the academy.  Additional thanks to the Melrose Alliance Against Violence, Shaw’s Supermarket, D’Amicis Bakery, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School and Principal Brent Conway, Two Dogs Cupcakes, The Lunch Box Concessions, The T-Stop, Kevin Cronin, Josh Brown, and the college and high school counselors who donated their time to the program.

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