By: Richard L. Smith
As we closed out the summer in Bloomfield, I had the privilege of seeing firsthand how a program can truly shape young people into better citizens while deepening respect for law enforcement.
The Bloomfield Police Department’s Junior Police Academy, a free, week-long summer initiative now celebrating its tenth consecutive year, has quietly become one of the most meaningful community programs I’ve ever covered.
Hosted at Bloomfield Middle School, the academy ran Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Over four weeks, Bloomfield children who have just completed grades 4 through 8 rotate through immersive law enforcement training, hands-on demonstrations, field trips, and plenty of community fun.
With only 25 recruits per week, the program ensures each child receives personal attention while learning discipline, teamwork, and civic responsibility.
When I spoke with Chief George Ricci, he uttered unmistakable pride about the academy’s history.
“This is one of my pride and joys of the department,” he told me. 
“We started back in 2015 with just middle school classes, but the demand from younger kids to be involved was overwhelming. By 2022 we added fifth graders, and in 2024, even fourth graders. I know it works because I see kids out there hugging officers in public, showing respect, and treating police as mentors instead of just authority figures.”
The program was built from the ground up by Lt. Naomi Zepeda, who crafted the curriculum and secured the first locations.
After she was injured in 2025, Officer Morgan Ziegler carried the torch forward, keeping the academy strong and vibrant.
Over the past decade, nearly 1,400 Bloomfield kids have graduated, at no cost to families.
Students in the academy get a unique, behind-the-scenes look at police work. 
They handle real equipment, try out drones, test distracted-driving simulations with golf carts and impairment goggles, and practice non-lethal defensive tactics like PepperBall training.
There are SWAT-style push-up drills, marching practice, and lessons in how Bloomfield officers collaborate with agencies across New Jersey.
They also travel to the Essex County Police Academy to train alongside cadets, observe demonstrations at the Hudson County Department of Corrections, and walk through history at the New Jersey State Police Museum in Trenton.
The program doesn’t shy away from tough conversations either. Students learn about the dangers of cyberbullying, the importance of respecting personal space, and the consequences of their actions, lessons that feel especially relevant in an age when so much harm can happen behind a phone screen.
As Chief Ricci explained, “We get the kids away from the phones and actually talking to each other. Face-to-face interaction matters. When you say something hurtful on social media, you don’t see the expression or the pain it causes. We teach them that words carry weight, and they can hurt.”
This academy isn’t just about police officers and kids, it’s a true community partnership.
The Bloomfield Board of Education provides facilities and buses, the Fire Department offers fire safety demonstrations and even a little water fun, and local sponsors, from the Bloomfield Police Youth Aid Foundation to the Glen Ridge Country Club, ensure the program remains free.
At the end of each week, families, officers, and town officials gather for a graduation ceremony where every child is celebrated. The event always draws the command staff, the mayor, and council members, standing together with proud parents.
Honorable Mayor Jenny Mundell , who also spoke about the program as both a leader and a father, reflected:
“As both a mayor and a parent, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of the Junior Police Academy. My son participated this year, and it gave him a real understanding of what it means to serve and protect. This program builds trust, creates lasting relationships, and shows kids that police officers are not only authority figures but also mentors and community partners. It’s a powerful investment in the future of community policing.”
Covering Bloomfield over the summer has been a personal journey for me.
From the inspiring Girls on Fire camp with the Fire Department to the life lessons taught here in the Junior Police Academy, it’s clear that this town is investing in its young people in ways that ripple far beyond a single week.
What grips at my heart the most is seeing the long-term results: graduates of the program who have gone on to become police officers, town officials, and even auxiliary cops. 
It’s not just a summer camp, it’s a foundation for a lifetime of civic pride and respect.
As someone who once watched these students grow, laugh, sweat, and learn in the classrooms and fields of Bloomfield Middle School during my initial and short steps at education in Township 25 years ago, I can say without hesitation that this is one of the finest examples of community partnership in New Jersey. 
Bloomfield has built something here that other towns are already replicating, proving that when you bring children, police, schools, and families together, you build not just trust, but a stronger future. 