NJ Cops | Page 44

CAPE CRUSADE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44 into high-intensity, decision-making situations. “We put artificial stress on them because we want to see how they react,” DePaul confirms. “When they get on the job, they will be making split-second decisions based off of emotion. If you can deal with the stress here, we hope that leads to being able to deal with the stress in the real world.” Clearly, the powers that be at the Cape May Academy – DePaul says that goes back to the directors who preceded him – thought about as many details as possible to contribute to training the best law enforcement officers. For example, recruits can come back from the weekend furlough on Sunday nights so they can be ready to go to work at 6 a.m. Monday. And the facility has set up extra in-service days for departments to send all officers for extra training on such issues as civil unrest, use of force and active-shooter scenarios using the simulator. Police Academy Cape May County will present an up-close look at all of the above and more during the ensuing months in following recruits to their January 2017 graduation. And to get a sense of what is to come, go back to the internet posts that include this statement – “They can fix you. They can fix anything.” – as well as this from a recent graduate: “When I went through, a lot of emphasis was placed on defensive tactics and physical training; a lot of weightlifting, RUNNING, the aerobic stations (tough workout/don’t let the word trick you). The staff was by far the most respectable. They led the way by showing by example. What we did, they did first. No matter how painful. The academics side was just as impressive. I can say nothing wrong about this program.” d 44 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2016