 Contributed Photo High schoolers experience week-long law enforcement training Three Goochland High School rising seniors spent a week of their summer vacationas Virginia State Police trainees at the state police academy in Chesterfield.
Three Goochland High School rising seniors spent a week of their summer vacation learning the basics of academy life, as Virginia State Police trainees at the state police academy in Chesterfield. Jesse Bors-Koefoed, Sam Green and Andrew Trongone — along with 34 other high schoolers from around the state — graduated on July 11 from the 19th Annual Junior Law Cadet program. The program is co-sponsored by the Virginia State Police and the American Legion, Department of Virginia Inc. The three boys were sponsored and selected by the Goochland American Legion Post 215. According to commander Floyd Callihan, the boys were chosen based on their academic grades and school involvement. “We select all-around students,” Callihan said. “Some decide to go into law enforcement, and some just want to know more about it.” Post 215 has been sending Goochland representatives to the cadet program for more than a decade. For a week Bors-Koefoed, Green and Trongone stayed overnight, experiencing a life similar to that of a trooper-in training. This routine included daily room inspections, physical exercises and a number of law enforcement activities. Some of these activities included firearm safety drills at a shooting range, tactical team operations, officer survival, undercover operations, driver improvement and defensive tactics. And the early morning physical agility exercises are the same ones used in the Virginia State Police applicant testing process. “It was like summer camp but way more intense,” said Trongone. Trongone currently doesn’t plan to pursue a future in law enforcement but he was interested to learn about the process. One of his favorite parts of the program was being able to drive a police patrol car. “At first I didn’t know what to expect,” the 17-year-old said. “But law enforcement is a lot about discipline and persevering. It was definitely worth going to.” “This is an excellent opportunity and practical experience for students to learn firsthand what it’s like to be a state police trooper,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “The junior law cadet program is one of the best ways for our department to make contact and build positive relationships with Virginia’s youth, especially for those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.” At the graduation ceremony some junior cadets were individually honored because of their hard work during the program. Green was named Outstanding Male. The junior cadet program is open to Virginia’s young men and young women the summer before their senior year in high school. For more information… (0) Comments • Email This Article |
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