Plymouth Township has some newly trained youngsters this week, after 22 children graduated from the Plymouth Police Department's "Cop Camp" Friday morning.

The annual camp, which has been on a hiatus for several years for financial reasons, gives children age 9-12 the chance to spend five days with police officers and learn about their work.

"The idea is to give the kids a peek into what life is like as a police officer," said Ofc. Michael Cassidy, who directed the camp. "But we keep it simple and and make it fun for them."

The list of activities sounds like it would be entertaining for any youngster. Campers had the chance to blow up watermelons with a bomb squad, set off smoke grenades, lift finger prints, perform room entries, and more.

"We visit all facets of police work, from SWAT to medical, and investigations," Cassidy said, adding that campers also met with EMS and fire company personnel.

On Friday morning, the campers filed into the township building's auditorium for their graduation ceremony. Parents gathered behind them as PPD Chief Joe Lawrence addressed the crowd.

"We couldn't have had the camp back without the support of the people in the township, [Plymouth] council, and the officers who put it on, so I'd like to thank them," Lawrence said, before calling out each child's name individually.

The campers then crossed the stage to shake hands with Cassidy and Lawrence, receiving a certificate and mini-badge on the way. Once they were all reassembled, they tossed their matching baseball caps into the air, to the amusement of parents.

Lawrence again thanked the attendees.

"We'll be back next year," he said.

List of graduates:

Ryan Cassidy
Brittney Fazio
Gianna Fazio
Kevin Fleischmann
Glen Gash
Jenica Gash
Christian Hennessy
Dominic Kerr
Stephen Longo
Trejan Aiken-Mabry
Ashleigh Marmer
Scott Nunez
Gabriella Pomian
AliAndra Samuels
Jack Sfida
Nate Sfida
Madison Stimmler
Kerri Thomas
Kaitlyn Trovato
Thomas Weinstein
Bryan Wilkinson
Emily Wilkinson

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