Interview with Officer Rob Reyngoudt, SRO
Cortland New York Junior/ Senior High School
June 30, 2010
Officer Reyngoudt has been an SRO since 2004 and has wanted to start a JPA program for several years. Officer Reyngoudt will be holding his first one week JPA Summer Camp July 12 -16, 2010.
“We are exciting about starting a JPA Program here in Cortland”, says Reyngoudt. “In the morning we will have physical training exercises and our afternoons we will be using the Connecting With Kids curriculum and listening to guest speakers.”
“We have a K-9 unit set to come in; evidence technicians; a swat team; the fire department will come in and talk to the kids about CPR and first aid. The NY State National Guard will be there and they are involved in the NY State Counter Drug Task Force. They are bringing with them a 28 foot rock climbing wall, a low ropes course and a fatal vision goggle course.”
Reyngoudt said that on Friday they will have a community service project for 4 hours in the morning. This is a new idea for JPA and a good one. There will be a graduation ceremony and a family picnic following. Parents are encouraged to attend and are already planning to take the day off to be with the new JPA Graduates.
Reyngoudt is holding enrollment to 20 students this year since it is their first camp. The ages range from 13 to 15. So far they have 15 who have their applications in. There is a $50 charge to help cover costs and Catholic Charities are providing the lunches each day at a city park. They require a letter of recommendation from a coach, school official, counselor, police officer and next year they will add fire fighters to the list. Students should have a C or better average.
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NOTE FROMCORTLAND POLICE COMMISSION
held on May 26, 2010 in the CPD Lounge at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland New York.
CORTLAND JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY: The Chief apprised the Commission of efforts being made by School Resource Officer, Ptl. Robert Reyngoudt, to initiate a Cortland Junior Police Academy. The week-long academy will commence on July 10, 2010, at the Armory, including a Rock Climbing Wall donated by National Guard, and free lunches provided by 7-Valley CASA.
Other Junior Police Academies conducted nationwide have proved to be very successful not only in improving police/civilian relations but also providing insight to the youth regarding a possible career in police work. No overtime will be involved and the rules for acceptance into the Academy include at least a “C” average and a letter of recommendation from a teacher.