Chief Tom Clemons is one of a group of law enforcers who pioneered the Junior Police Academy.
“The Junior Police Academy provides an environment where law enforcers can simply be present. Young people will never come right out and tell you, but being there for them, being honest – one more adult they can trust, is very important.”
He began his Alaskan law enforcement career in 1972 in Petersburg, Alaska. Chief Clemons was promoted to the rank of sergeant during his stay at Petersburg Police Department. In 1974, Chief Clemons joined the Alaska State Troopers.
During his tenure with the Troopers, Chief Clemons was stationed in Anchorage, Paxson (during the pipeline construction years), Juneau, and Palmer, as well as being assigned to the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Chief Clemons retired from the Alaska State Troopers as a First Sergeant in 1995. Chief Clemons worked as the Director of Security for 1st National Bank of Anchorage, and in 1998 joined the Sand Point Police Department as their Chief of Police.
In 2000, Chief Clemons became the Chief of Police for the community of Wrangell, Alaska. In 2003, he moved to Seward where he is the current Chief.
He is a current member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Suzanne D'Ambrose
A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Suzanne D’Ambrose was instrumental in pioneering the Junior Police Academy.
Now retired, Suzanne taught law enforcement for the Monmouth County Vocational School and served with the Belmar Police Department for over 10 years.
Since childhood Suzanne has been an avid horsewoman, riding and training with family and friends. She owns a Standardbred horse named “Independent Act” or “Indy”.
Suzanne is an active volunteer with the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. www.adoptahorse.org. An organization that places retired harness racers in loving homes, as well as with police departments with mounted patrol units.
“It’s an honor to be able to help put together materials that departments can use to teach youngsters and inspire them to become involved in law enforcement. ”
Chief Chad Pusey
Chief Chad Pusey leads the Oblong Police Department in Illinois, where he hosts one of the most successful JPA programs in the country.
“A young person’s attitude towards police officers plays an enormous role in their development as a citizen,” adds Chief Chad Pusey, who has used the program to bring citizens together in his small rural community in downstate Illinois. "the Junior Police Academy offers a simple, effective way to bridge the gap between cops and kids before it becomes an insurmountable gulf."
“The Junior Police Academy offers a simple, effective way to bridge the gap between cops and kids before it becomes an insurmountable gulf.”
Chief Pusey began his career with the Knox County Sheriff’s Dept Reserve Unit while attending college. He was then hired by the Bicknell Police Dept as his first full time police job. He then left there and went to the Crane Police Dept and worked as a Federal Police Officer. In April of 2002, he was hired as Chief of Police in Oblong. Chief Pusey in one of Oblong’s Juvenile Officers. He is also certified by the FBI as a Hostage Negotiator. Chief Pusey is SWAT certified and a member of the Southern Illinois Response Team, as well as, ILEAS 9/11.
Chief Pusey also instructs at Olney Central College in the Administration of Justice Program. He was recently awarded the DUI Enforcement Award issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Chief Pusey continues to build a circle of support throughout the city of Oblong, where the Junior Police Academy has touched the lives of young people, parents and educators.
Chief Pusey is married to Mary Lou and they have 6 children and three grandchildren.
Det Eric Edson
Detective Eric Edson is a veteran of the Sheboygan Police Department and has been instrumental in establishing the Junior Police Academy program in his community.
“Parents need a helping hand in presenting a different side to their kids of what being responsible is all about and what ideals they should have as a child.”
Detective Edson is responsible for investigating major crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, crimes against children, robbery and burglary, theft and fraud, computer crimes, and narcotics. Previously, Detective Edson served as one of his Department’s School Resource Officers. During this assignment, he planned and implemented the Department’s Junior Police Academy program, currently in its 11th year.
Throughout his career, Detective Edson has been very involved in youth-oriented programs. He volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and recently helped coordinate their local “Bigs in Blue” campaign in Sheboygan County.
Detective Edson believes that community problem solving and crime prevention begins by fostering long-term, collaborative relationships with our communities’ youth. He has seen first-hand how this approach helps to build trust and empowers young people to become responsible, involved stakeholders in their neighborhoods.
Here are just a few of the many people who have inspired and help build this program.
Special thanks go to Chief Tom Clemons for his inspiration and support; and Pat Fuller (former Chief of the Austin ISD Police Department, currently a Director atthe Austin Parks and Recreation Department) not only for shepherded this program through its early years, but allowing us to have some fun in the process.
The wonderful & Suzanne D’Ambrose (Monmouth County Voc-Tech School, Freehold, New Jersey) & John Schneiter.
Austin ISD Police Department
Chief Eric Mendez, Austin Independent School District Police Department, Austin, Texas
Lt Rodney Anderson, Austin Independent School District Police Department, Austin, Texas
Sgt. Beverly Freshour, Austin Independent School District Police Department, Austin, Texas
Officer David Powers, Austin Independent School District Police Department, Austin, Texas
We are proud to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of our Advisory Council, past and present:
Officer Mitchell Garcia: Houston Police Department, Texas
Officer James Adams: Hanford Police Department, California
Lt Robert Goetz, Everett Police Department
Officer John Clapp: Collin County Community College Police Department with campuses in Plano, Frisco, and McKinney, Texas
Officer James Taylor: Goshen Township Police Department, Ohio
Officer Mark Dillon: Hanford Police Department, California
Captain Tom Long: Herkimer Police Department, New York, retired
Deputy Cory Hughston: Crime Prevention Specialist, Victoria County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
Patricia Montemayor, Private Investigator. Former SRO for Murchison Middle School, Austin ISD, Texas
Officer Eric Edson, Sheboygan Police Department
Chief Chad Pusey, Oblong Police Department
Sgt. Pauleen Hatch
Austin Independent School District
Police Department, Austin, Texas
Sheila Anderson
Austin Independent School District
Police Department, Austin, Texas
Patricia Lyle
Retired, Lamar Middle School Principal, Austin, Texas
Officer Rick Jennings,
Pequannock Community Policing
NASRO
Bill Deckard, Secretary NASRO
Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Chief Rick Armstrong of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Assistant Chief Terry Zeigler of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Dr. Cynthia Lane, Superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools
Officer Steve Williams of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Lt. Col Terence Hall of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Lisa Garcia, Director of Student Services, Kansas City Public Schools
Officer Gary Richards, Temple, Texas Police Department
Charles A. Miller, Jr., Criminal Justice Teacher, Westwood High School, Austin, Texas, Lt. Colonel United States National Guard.
Ms. Rhonda Haynes, Project Director Public Service, Law- Related Education, State Bar of Texas
Ms. Jan L. Miller, Coordinator, Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Institutes on the Founding Documents, State Bar of Texas
We also benefit mightily from the time and dedication of countless volunteers and staff, including:
David Dierks
Kelly LeConte
June Mellon
Paul Kutak
Greg Bolin
And the late Edward J. Cain, Jr., Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, who, like the Northern Star, provided guidance and helped us take an idea and turn it into something that shines.
And to Robert LeConte, to whom this program is lovingly dedicated.
You have all enriched this program. To each of you, our heartfelt thanks.
Sincerely,
Phil LeConte, Executive Director
Board of Directors:
Chief Tom Clemons, Seward, Alaska
Suzanne D’Ambrose, Monmouth County Voc-Tech School, retired
Officer Eric Edson, Sheboygan Police Department
Chief Chad Pusey, Oblong Police Department
Phillip LeConte, co-founder
