Citizens Gain Insight Into Police Work at Academy

Ever want to know what it’s like to walk Cranford streets carrying a gun and badge? Twelve town residents intend to learn just that at the Cranford Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy.

This 10-week course is designed to teach Cranford residents about the police department, with lectures on department structure and operations, as well as hands-on exercises. Participants will get to ride shotgun with a patrol officer and experience a high risk motor vehicle stop, among other activites. The final class will be held at a firing range in Clark.

“We find it to be very fulfilling not only for those who come to the class, but also for the police officers,” said Chief Eric Mason. “We need to know what all our cops are thinking, but also what the citizens are thinking about what we do. Feel free to critique us as we go on.”

Founded by Lt. Robert Colaneri, the program celebrates its fourth year this fall. The class serves to foster communications and confidence between the police department and residents.

Some signed up for the program after hearing rave reviews from former participants.

“My wife took [the program], and I’m tired of getting frisked every time I get home,” said Mike Morgese on why he decided to enroll.

Others have a calling.

“I once walked into a police station and they started laughing at me,” said Ceil Burisch, whose family has a career history in local police departments. “’We’re not ready to hire women yet,’ they said. ‘Well someday you will,’ I replied. But they just said ‘naaah, I doubt that.' I missed my calling.”

And some are simply curious.

“I read about police pulling over people all the time in the Local Source and they must be the dumbest people,” said Susan Landsman, who grew up in Irvington before moving to Cranford. “I was like, I gotta go on this ride-along thing to see these dumb people.”

The first class offered lectures on departmental make-up, recruitment, basic training and field training, with presentations by Colaneri, Mason and Lt. James Wozniak.

Next week’s agenda includes a departmental tour and presentations on the records division and auxiliary police.

The class is full. Meetings are held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the municipal building unless otherwise noted.

Contact Lt. Robert Colaneri at 908-709-7358 for more information.