TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department congratulates 12 town youths who successfully completed the 2016 Town of Poughkeepsie Youth Police Academy. This five-day academy was the first for the department, offered to town youths going into grades 10, 11 or 12. The program was designed to provide positive interaction with police officers; create a better understanding and communication between young people and police officers; and to educate young people about some of the challenges and responsibilities of police work.
The academy was under the direction of Police Officer Christopher Hamel and he was assisted by 18 other town police officers, who are certified instructors, to provide classroom instruction, demonstrations and reality based training scenarios. The graduates received training on the following topics: search and seizure, constitutional law, use of force, arrest procedures, TASER, baton, firearms training simulator, crime scene processing, K-9, conducting traffic stops, room entries and SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics).
Standing, L-R: Police Officer Christopher Hamel – Academy Director, Michael Kirchner, Isaiah Kostyal, Matthew McSpedon, Jarrett Evans,
Joseph Sanzo, Philip Richards Jr., Keith Strickland Jr., Chief Ronald J. Spero Jr.
Sitting, L-R: Cameron Smith, Jessica Hamel, Michaela Sciacca, Sean Golding, Samuel Chen
The Youth Police Academy graduates: Sean Golding – Spackenkill High School; Jessica Hamel – Our Lady of Lourdes High School; Michael Kirchner- Arlington High School; Isaiah Kostyal – Arlington High School; Matthew McSpedon – Spackenkill High School; Michaela Sciacca – Arlington High School; Samuel Chen – Spackenkill High School; Jarret Evans – Arlington High School; Philip Richards Jr. – Roy C. Ketcham High School; Joseph Sanzo – Spackenkill High School; Cameron Smith- J.A. Coleman Catholic High School; Keith Strickland – Roy C. Ketcham High School.
