Prosecutor's Office, River Edge Mayor Visit Jr. Police Academy

The inaugural year of the the River Dell Jr. Police Academy has set the bar high. This week, the recruits had visits from the Bergen County Bomb Squad, the K9 Unit, the Bergen County Sheriff's BCI Unit and a Secret Service agent who graduated from River Dell High School. 

On Thursday the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Computer Crimes Unit came to talk to both the recruits and their parents about using social media responsibly. 

Also on Thursday, River Edge Mayor Sandy Moscaritolo spoke to the recruits about the importance of ethics in law and talked about his roles as a lawyer and municipal prosecutor.  

As with many ideas, the genesis of the Jr. Police Academy was born in the middle of the night. While on patrol last September, Oradell Police Officer Rich Liguori and River Edge Police Officer Marc Abate talked about joining forces and resources to create a River Dell Jr. Police Academy. With the blessings of the chiefs of both police departments, they began the arduous nine-month process of planning and organizing.

River Edge Police Chief Tom Cariddi, who has visited the academy recruits, said that he is extremely pleased with the job that Abate, Liguori and all of the other officers who are assisting have done. 

"I'm very proud of what they have accomplished in creating this Junior Police Academy," Cariddi said. "They've put together a tremendous program for the first year."

The recruits will graduate Friday. According to Liguori and Abate, there are still surprises in store for the last day. 

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