By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — “Attention,” “left face” and “company halt” were likely some new instructions for 17 middle school students last week.

Discipline, teamwork and motivation also were prevalent throughout the six-day Georgetown Police Department Junior Police Academy, staged at Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus.

“This is not a camp. This is a very structured academy experience. It’s very paramilitary,” said Georgetown Police Detective Joey Melvin, a school resource officer in the Indian River School District and organizer of the academy.

“They learn about teamwork. It’s about accountability. They learn about how individual responsibility affects everyone. So if one makes a mistake, … then everybody has to pay for it.”

Again, his year’s camp included ethnic diversity.

“It’s very reflective of our community,” Detective Melvin said. “It usually does.”

Ja’Tara Morris of Milton, a 14-year-old incoming freshman at Cape Henlopen High School, attended the academy in tribute to a family member via a recommendation from her friend, Mia Gallo, another 2021 cadet.

“I wanted to come here because I thought it would respect my Pop Pop because he did Army. It was like the motivation, … that he told me to never to give up and just push through,” Ja’Tara said.

Likewise, 13-year-old Karime Sanchez took a friend’s advice and “enlisted” in the academy.

“One of my future careers is in intelligence analysis. I thought it would be a good opportunity to maybe go a little bit more forward into what I would like to do,” said Karime, who will begin eighth grade at Georgetown Middle School next month. “It also motivates me to become more independent and learn things.”

Discipline was contrastingly different from the cadets’ home life. Among the guest officers barking out orders were Anthony “Smitty” Smith of the Dover Police Department and Pfc. Robert Scisco, a school resource officer with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.

“The discipline, it was really shocking,” Karime said. “You would be nervous at first because you didn’t know how to act. But now that I know, part of it helps me remember that we’re all a group, and if something happens, we have to help each other to become together and make sure we have everything completed.”

Ja’Tara added, “And if one person gets in trouble, … it goes to the rest of us. Officer Smith, he kept encouraging us. Even though he yelled at us, it was like a motivation to push through and don’t give up and try to reach your goals.”

Structured for youth in grades six through eight, the academy featured rigorous routine, physical fitness and a tight schedule, punctuated by guest speakers and demonstrations from various agencies.

Gov. John Carney and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., visited the cadets. So did Deputy Attorney General David Hume and Chief Magistrate Alan Davis.

Speakers included Georgetown Police Chief R.L. Hughes; Georgetown Mayor Bill West; Ruth Ann Spicer and granddaughter, Aubrey Spicer, who lost their son and father, Chad Spicer, in the line of duty in 2009; Dr. David Carter of Indian River High School; and John Oakey of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

There were also presentations from the Delaware Public Defender’s Office, the Department of Correction, Delaware Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Air and Waste Division and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

A Milford Police Department K-9 demonstration, a trip to the Delaware State Fire School and a presentation by Dean Stott, a former British special forces soldier and world record-holding cyclist, rounded out the academy, as well as books (including “Grit” by Angela Duckworth), movie time and Zoom sessions.

One virtual event brought the story of Rose Schindler, a Holocaust survivor whose mother and younger sister were taken to a gas chamber.

“Rose, she was a survivor of the Holocaust,” said Karime. “That was really interesting. But it was sad at the same time. She went through a lot.”

Detective Melvin said sharing stories like these will aid the students during trying times.

“Hopefully, when they think they are having a bad day or things are rough, they will reflect on that,” he said.

With an eye on both her immediate and long-range future, Ja’Tara took notice of Officer Smith’s “Power in Consistency” presentation.

“I am going to do track and field in high school. I am doing (Jobs for Delaware Graduates) and (Junior) ROTC, and later in my future, I want to do military and be in the National Guard,” she said. “When I come here, I just feel like it’s more motivation. … You push through. Yes, you’re going to go through pain. You’re going to fail. But you’re also going to be successful in something that you did.”

And that’s the point, Detective Melvin added.

“I think a lot of people underestimate our youth today. You commonly hear them referred to as lazy, always on their phones,” he said. “I actually find it to be the opposite. They yearn for discipline. They yearn for structure. That’s what they get here. And they get a lot of it.”

The graduation Saturday marked the conclusion of the sixth Junior Police Academy, which has produced 117 graduates during those years.

And it’s not necessarily about leading students to a path in law enforcement.

“I really try to make the experience and curriculum less about law enforcement and more about inspiration and instilling values for future leaders,” said Detective Melvin. “I don’t care if they ever want to be a cop. I want them to be positive, contributing members of society. And I hope what they experience throughout this week helps.

“I have worked with kids in schools for a long time, and the biggest gap I identified was this age range in programs specifically to identify and inspire future leaders. I don’t see it a lot. That’s what led me to start this program.”

The academy has developed a strong support network of sponsors, including businesses and organizations that help provide uniforms, books and speakers. Lunches were provided by El Charro, Bethany Blues BBQ, Caruso’s Pizza and Pasta Italian Eatery, the Wheelhouse, Arena’s Deli & Bar and Pizza Palace.

“I leverage a lot of my friends who share this passion from other agencies. Having them help is a blessing because then (the students) get exposed to different agencies and officers. We share that passion for dealing with youth,” the detective said. “The same thing with sponsors that I get. That lifts a heavy load. I could not do it without them.

“We’re very blessed this year that DelTech sponsored the event and donated the venue for us all week. It also exposed them to what DelTech has to offer.”

Detective Melvin’s reward is hearing what course these young folks have mapped out, he said.

“You hear all different kinds of things they want (to) do. It’s neat to see it come to fruition. Last year was the first year I had kids that (have) been through this program graduate from high school,” he said. “So attending their graduation and talking to them and hearing about what college they are going to and that some are going into the military, … it’s kind of neat.”

He was also pleased to hear that there were requests for an extended academy from students.

“I had two or three come up and ask me if I can add another week, so they could stay longer,” he said. “I wish I could. If I had the resources to do this numerous times throughout the year all year long, I would love to do it. They yearn for it.”