JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY

In 2001 the Lyndhurst Police Department created the Lyndhurst Junior Police Academy (LJPA). The LJPA was created to introduce young men and women to the world of policing. Selected young men and women become recruits and are tasked both mentally and physically. Representatives from agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bergen County Sheriffs Department Bureau of Criminal Identification, Drug Enforcement Administration, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Forensic Investigation Unit, Lyndhurst Police K-9, Lyndhurst Police Special Response Team and others are on hand to give recruits a taste of the many exciting fields of law enforcement.

There is plenty of discipline during the program that helps to mold recruits into future members of the law enforcement community. The program is open to all seventh grade students within the township. Prospective candidates submit a two-page essay stating their interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. From these submissions 25-30 recruits are selected from approximately 10 seventh grade classes.