The Union County Sheriff’s Office proudly celebrated the graduation of 120 Union County middle and high school students from the 2026 Youth Police Academy!
Coordinated by Lieutenant Tara Halpin, Officer Zachary Esparra, and Detective Joseph Florio, the program provided participants with a unique, hands-on introduction to the many aspects of law enforcement and public safety.
Throughout the academy, recruits participated in training and demonstrations involving CPR, K9 operations, motor vehicle defensive driving, arrest procedures, crime scene processing, defensive tactics, and team-building exercises.
The program also provided students with the opportunity to meet and learn from the dedicated men and women of several partner agencies, including the Union County Fire Academy, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County SWAT Team, Elizabeth Police Department, New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Police, and Scotch Plains EMS.
At the graduation ceremony, each participant received a graduation packet and commemorative plaque recognizing their successful completion of the academy. Special recognition was also awarded to recruits Gabriel Pinto, Mikaela Ricardo, and Taylor Miller for their outstanding achievements during the program.
Sheriff Peter Corvelli congratulates all 120 graduates and thanks Lieutenant Halpin, Officer Esparra, Detective Florio, the participating agencies, and everyone who helped make this year’s Youth Police Academy a tremendous success.
We are proud to provide opportunities that encourage young people to develop leadership skills, build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the important work performed by law enforcement and public safety professionals throughout Union County