Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 8, 2025 Malden Junior Police Academy has another successful summer Nearly 100 young Malden residents take part in two sessions All the graduates, Malden Police, Mayor Gary Christenson (right) and Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica (left), a yearly supporter of the Junior Police Academy. By Steve Freker I t has not happened yet, but it is coming. Probably right around the corner. The Malden Junior Police Academy (JPA) just completed its 10th year last week, with a graduation ceremony in the venerable Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High School. It marked the end of two sessions of the Police Academy, and this year showed that the program remained as popular as ever with nearly 100 young Malden residents participating, as either JPA “campers” or youth volunteers working alongside MPD officers to help supervise the younger kids. After 10 years of operation, here’s a realistic question: Has the program produced any Malden Police Officers — or even might come from one of our first groups of volunteer assistants.” The Junior Police Academy Malden Police Sgt. Rob O’Brien addresses the graduates. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang) any viable candidates — since the program was reconstituted in 2015? Not yet, but it’s a very probable “coming attraction,” according to JPA supervisor/Malden Police Sgt. Rob O’Brien. “We are thinking we’re close to seeing our first police cadet from this program, we think the first one ran for two one-week sessions in July, the second week concluding last Friday, August 1. Each week this summer included about 35 Junior Police “cadets” — boys and girls — as well as 8-10 high school kids as volunteer program assistants. The program is designed for students entering the 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade in the fall. The JPA features a variety of training situations in which all cadets are required to participate. The JPA included classroom instruction, hands-on police tactics training, physical training and travel days to special events. Malden Police Officers acted as staff instructors and supervised the cadets throughout each day of the program, which ran from with its spacious courtyard area, where a number of outdoor presentations were given, as well as larger classrooms inside and the Malden High Pool, which the kids took advantage of nearly every day of the camp. Sgt. O’Brien also supervises the Malden Public Schools MPD School Resource Officer contingent, which includes, besides himself, Katelyn Centore, Connor Cloherty and Chuck Washington. “It has become an important Police officers greet a happy Junior Police Academy graduate. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang) 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program was based in Malden High School — the perfect venue — program. It is the perfect way for Malden Police officers to initiate what we hope are lasting relationships with some of our youngest residents,” Sgt. O’Brien said. “It is great to witness some of the tremendous interactions our officers have with youths from Malden through the program every year.” Student assistants and graduates at the ceremony (Advocate Photos/ Henry Huang) Greetings from the City of Malden from Malden Mayor Gary Christenson (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang) Lining up to receive their certificates at the Junior Police Academy graduation (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)
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