Law enforcement careers highlighted during week Police academy hosts 16th annual summer program for youths BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent Program coordinator Sgt. Kevin Lagravenis helps Francisco Velasco, 14, of Freehold Borough, fire at a laser-sensitive target during one of the activities at Sheriff Youth Week, held at the Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township. FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Even though there may have been an individual activity they did love, one thing all of the participants at the 16th annual Sheriff Youth Week could agree on was that the program was filled with memorable presentations and experiences. Sheriff Youth Week was held from July 16-20 at the Monmouth County Police Academy, Kozloski Road. The free summer program, under the auspices of Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley, provided police academy-style training to introduce students to the many opportunities law enforcement offers as a career. Danielle Egan, 17, a Long Branch High School student whose uncle, Ken Nolan, is a police officer, has already decided that law enforcement is in her future. The Long Branch resident is scheduled to attend the Monmouth County Vocational School for half-day sessions in law enforcement in Septem-ber. Jason Mittman, 14, of Marlboro, and other youths fire at laser-sensitive targets during a firearms competition at Sheriff Youth Week. "This week I loved learning new areas of law enforcement and meeting new people," she said. "I definitely want to train as a K-9 officer and then go on to be an FBI agent." Philip Anzivino, 17, of Hazlet, who attends Red Bank Catholic High School, said the presentations were excellent, even the ones he expected not to be interesting. "I was leaning toward a career in criminal justice, but I learned there are many opportunities to explore in law enforcement," he said. "The class session on gangs was of particular interest to me." His twin brother, Andrew Anzivino, said he thought about a career in the Secret Service, but found out there is so much more to consider. "By attending Sheriff Youth Week I got a glimpse of what it would be like to go into law enforcement and the many ways to do it," Andrew said. "Because it offered excellent leadership training and teamwork, I would recommend this program to students even if law enforcement is not a career goal." Jillian Olsen, 14, of Brick Township, said police communications was one of her favorite class topics. "I learned what police work involves and that women can do the work just as well as men," she said. "Overall, I liked all the classes." Jillian's sister, Corinne, 15, also attended Sheriff Youth Week. Their father, Sheriff Officer Department of Corrections Sgt. Wayne Olsen, was the drill instructor and class coordinator for the summer program. "We are getting more girls attending this summer program and more women are entering careers in law enforcement," Olsen said. "I tell my daughters what I do in law enforcement and Sheriff Youth Week gives them and all the students hands-on experience. Career goals have to be set now while you are young." Olsen said the 2007 class of 63 recruits was the largest to date. He said the young people were most determined and focused about careers. "After graduation, one girl said she was enlisting in the Army and wanted military police training," Olsen said. "Another student said he was headed for FBI training." Olsen, a firearms instructor at the police academy and one of four Monmouth County firearms range masters, said training in firearms using Beamhit laser technology was new to this year's program and very popular with the students. "The students had excellent eye and hand coordination," he said. "The Beamhit laser computer technology provided a safe, controlled environment to teach firearms." Undersheriff Ted Freeman said that before the students handled the modified real firearms, the students were drilled repeatedly in firearms safety and responsibility. No human silhouettes or figures were used as targets. "An officer in any phase of law enforcement must carry a firearm and know how to use it properly," Freeman said. "We are presenting students with the many options in law enforcement, and that involves firearms training." Freeman said the new computer technology and laser beam modification of firearms allows not only students, but law enforcement officers, to train in marksmanship in a controlled, safe environment. He said the class was divided into teams and learned the technology through a competition. The Anzivino twins declared the Beamhit laser firearms competition "sweet" and "awesome." Egan and Olsen said they were afraid at first to handle the modified guns, but then found out it was fun and safe. They all received sharpshooter trophies. Sheriff Officer Department of Corrections Sgt. Kevin LaGravenis, program logistics coordinator and instructor in the beam hit technology, said it was an important way to teach firearms safety. "Beamhit technology safely takes the curiosity and shock out of handling firearms," said LaGravenis, whose daughter, Christina, 14, was a member of the summer program. "An unofficial poll of the 2007 class indicted that 95 percent of the students were interested in a career in law enforcement. Firearms training and safety are components in that career." The Beamhit software technology and equipment were loaned through the courtesy of MPRI Inc./L-3Com, a Maryland- based company. "We are proud to loan our Beamhit system to a worthy cause such as Sheriff Youth Week," said Bob Garner, senior vice president and general manager of the MPRI training technology group. "I'm glad the students enjoyed the competition in a way that exposed them to the safe handling of firearms." The recruits in the 2007 class were also exposed to field trips that included the police academy's new pistol range, the Monmouth County Fire Academy, Howell, and the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township. Graduations ceremonies were held July 20 in the police academy auditorium where the recruits displayed their drill instruction to family and friends. A reception was held after the conferring of certificates.