By: Richard L. Smith
The Summit Police Department has officially announced the dates for its 2025 Youth Academy, a program designed to provide young participants with an immersive experience in law enforcement training. 
According to an official statement released by the department, the academy will run for two one-week sessions: July 21–25 and July 28–August 1, from 8 AM to 3 PM daily.
Open to children ages 10 to 14 who will be entering grades 6 through 9 in the upcoming school year, the program aims to educate young participants on the responsibilities and daily operations of law enforcement officers.
Now in its 19th year, the academy follows a curriculum modeled after real police training programs, featuring physical conditioning, drill and ceremony instruction, and hands-on experience in criminal investigation techniques, evidence collection, and patrol procedures.
Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the Union County Police Academy and observe demonstrations by specialized units, including the Union County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, the Union County S.W.A.T.
Team, and the Bomb Squad. Each cadet will be issued an official Summit Police Youth Academy uniform and, upon successful completion of the program, will take part in a formal graduation ceremony. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion, an official academy patch, and access to a shared drive containing photos from their session.
Applications for the program will be accepted from March 3 through April 1 and can be obtained online or in person at the Summit Police Department in City Hall (512 Springfield Avenue).
Admission operates on a rolling basis, with priority given to first-time applicants who are Summit residents.
Returning cadets and out-of-town applicants may be placed on a waitlist.
A limited number of scholarships are available for families experiencing financial hardship.
Accepted applicants will be notified on April 15 and must submit a tuition fee of $125 by April 18. Those who do not submit payment by the deadline may forfeit their spot and be placed at the end of the waiting list.
For further details, interested applicants can contact Officer David Kotiga at dkotiga@spdnj.org or (908) 598-2113, or Administrative Assistant Lauren Karsen at lkarsen@spdnj.org or (908) 277-9473.
