A visit from law enforcement
Edison Local 75 officers go into the classroom to show students they are the‘ good guys’ n BY AMBER RAMUNDO
Kids of Edison Township aren’ t the only ones who view cops as bad-guy catchers in speedy cars with flashing lights. But at James Madison Primary School, teachers wanted to show their students that there’ s much more to the job than what they see on TV. And by bringing police into the classroom, they figured students would be able to get to know the character of officers underneath the shiny badges on their uniforms.
First-grade teachers Lindsay James and Darlene Cirillo invited members of Edison Local 75 for a visit that would change the way kids know cops. And on Nov. 4, Patrolman Keith Jackson and Patrolman Jason Chang stood larger than life before nearly 40 first-graders who sat on their classroom carpet … and on their best behavior. Chang and Jackson are both Edison Community Resource Officers, so when Lieutenant Robert Dudash Jr. reached out to them about the school visit, they were more than willing to get into the classroom and spread a positive message about law enforcement.
“ We wanted to carry out the message that police are the good guys,” says Patrolman Chang.“ Which, in this day and age, is important.”
It’ s this“ good guy” message that James wanted to convey to her students. Her brother is a New Jersey State Trooper, and the recent spike in violence toward police officers has motivated her to make an impact on the way her students view men and women in uniform.
“ As teachers, we have the ability to make a difference at a young age,” she emphasizes.“ We need to take everything that’ s happening in the world and bring it down to a degree that our kids can understand and make sure that we instill in them good values and important messages.”
Officer Jackson made it easy for the 6- and 7-year-olds to understand.
“ I’ m like a superhero,” Jackson said to the class, explaining
Top photo: Laura Floersch( far left) and her first-grade class joined Lindsay James( top right) and Darlene Cirillo’ s( sixth from left) class for a visit from Edison Police Officers. Bottom: Edison Officer Keith Jackson enjoys a slice of pizza with some students.
how, just like Batman, officers wear a special uniform, have a handy tool belt and drive super – cool cars. The students nodded along; he spoke a language they could understand. Batman. Superheroes. Got it.
The officers made a point of letting students know that they should never be afraid to approach law enforcement if they need help, or if they just simply want to say hello. The students listened intently, completely enthralled by the presence of cops in their classroom.
After a detailed Q & A session, during which the officers ex-
34 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2016