Ridgewood to Run First-Ever 'Michael Feeney Jr. Police Academy'

The Ridgewood Police department will be hosting its first Jr. Police Academy June 26 through July 2.

The academy is named after Michael Feeney. Michael was a 10-year-old Ridgewood resident who was selected to be chief for a day in June of 2013 when he was battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. 

The Officers from Ridgewood Police Department were so impressed with Michael’s spirit and positive attitude in his battle with cancer and enthusiasm for police work that he was asked to stay on as acting Chief for the rest of the year.  Michael lost his battle with cancer in December 2013. To honor Michael’s memory and share his enthusiasm with Ridgewood residents we are starting the Michael Feeney Jr. Police Academy.

The Academy, which is free to Ridgewood residents from age 10 to 14, will be held at BF Middle School from 8:30 to 2:30 each day, with a field trip to the Bergen County Police Academy on day three. Students will learn about what it takes to be a police officer and the jobs they perform. 

Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the week from the Ridgewood Police Department and various agencies including the Bergen County Police Bomb Squad and K-9 units, Ridgewood EMS and Emergency Services, Ridgewood Fire Department, Motorcycle Patrol, computer crimes and many more.   

Upon completion of the Academy the students will be invited to march with the Ridgewood Police Department in the Ridgewood Fourth of July parade.

Applications are available at the Ridgewood police desk.

For more information please contact Lt. Glenn Ender at gender@ridgewoodnj.net.