FREEHOLD, NJ - It was not an ordinary week of summer camp for the 108 recruits who participated in the 20^th annual Sheriff Youth Week, from July 9 to July 13.  The challenging program, held at the Monmouth County Police Academy, provides high school aged students a unique opportunity to explore interests in law enforcement through police academy style training, exercise programs and instructional sessions.

Each day began and ended with one hour of exercise and drill. During the week, the recruits learned about various law enforcement topics and agencies.  Presentations included overviews of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division, the 9-1-1 Communications Division and the Correctional Division.

Additional presentations were conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey Parole Board, the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Naval Criminal Investigation Service from Earle. Also featured was a crime scene investigation presentation where students learned about forensic science, CSI style, from a forensic crime scene specialist.

A major focal point of the week was on Wednesday July 11, when the recruits spent the day at Neptune High School. They learned about water safety and participated in rock climbing and the obstacle course challenge. Other interactive demonstrations throughout the week included presentations from the Sheriff’s Office K-9 teams and the Correctional Division’s Emergency Response Team. The recruits also participated and completed the Sheriff Youth Week 5K challenge. “I commend the graduates of Sheriff Youth Week for staying the course and completing this intensive week of law enforcement training,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Sheriff Youth Week has provided the recruits with valuable insight and from this class will come law enforcement professionals and leaders of tomorrow.”

Sheriff Youth Week concluded on Friday after a formal graduation ceremony with         honored guests Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, the former sheriff of Monmouth    County, and Mr. and Mrs. William W. Wingard, of New Jersey Gravel & Sand who sponsored the event. 

This year, Sheriff Youth Week was acknowledged for its 20^th anniversary with the largest class to date.