Dover kids get earful from drill instructor at junior police academy

DOVER — Minus the abusive profanity, Drill Instructor Frank Giaquinto was in full-volume, "Full Metal Jacket" mode as he stared down a group of about 30 children who formed the ranks of the new Dover Junior Police Academy.

Assembled early Tuesday morning inside American Legion Hall Post 27, Giaquinto stood them up, then sat them down, positioning their feet at 45-degree angles and "left hand on left knee, right hand on right knee."

"Let's do it again!" Giaquinto growled when a few recruits failed to hit their specific marks.

"Sir, yes sir!" they shouted in reply.

The drill session, which included how to stay at attention and how to salute, eventually resulted in push-ups and more micromanaged instruction. All that took place before they were marched down to Crescent Field for further drilling, marching and insider education on what it means to be a police officer.

The Junior Police Academy is a new initiative by Chief Jonathan Delaney, who has prioritized community policing since he took over as chief in 2021. Those initiatives include a new Community Affairs Unit, a Dover Night Out event launched last year, and an increased security presence at Crescent Field, especially during after-school hours when large numbers of children are present.

"We feel it's a necessity for the community to keep that outreach going and we're trying to look for innovative ways to achieve that," Delaney said.

That includes the Junior Police Academy, which began Monday and concluded with a badge presentation to the graduates on Thursday. Tuesday's drills were followed by a visit from the FBI. The five-day program also included a motorcade from the Morris County Sheriff's Department, a presentation by DEA agents and landings of State Police and Atlantic Health helicopters.

Officer Louis Sperry came out of retirement to run the program.

"This program is specifically geared to help expand their thought process on law enforcement," said Sperry, whose wife, Jennifer, was on the volunteer support team. "They might not be aware of all the opportunities available in that profession. Even outside of local police departments, there are state, federal, so many different agencies they can participate with and eventually join."

Mayor Carolyn Blackman praised the program as a way to help kids think of police as real people they can talk to, and go to when they need help.

"The program builds a bond and trust with law enforcement," said Blackman, who spent most of the morning observing the session.

Like Delaney, Sperry is a born-and-bred Dover resident who feels community policing is vital to connect the residents with the people they serve.

Delaney explained that Dover cut back on community policing initiatives after 9/11, when department resources were necessarily reallocated to pressing homeland safety issues. But noting that similar youth programs in Denville, Lincoln Park and a "Tritown" academy combining Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township were still thriving, he was determined to revive it back home.

"There's no reason why Dover can't do the same thing," the chief said. "Dover youth deserve the same opportunities."

Christian Rodriguez, 10, a student at Academy Street School, said he appreciates discipline, "depending on the type of discipline."

"They give good discipline," he said. "I signed up because I really wanted to learn how to be a cop. It's really fun. I like it."

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Alexa Sperry came from neighboring Mine Hill to participate.

"I kind of want to be a police officer when I grow up," said Alexa, 10. "It's fun to learn all the stuff you're learning. I've learned how to do marching and all the stuff police do."

The program was open to kids ages 10 to 14, in 5th through 8th grade.

Giaquinto warned them early in the program that he was going to be loud and harsh. But he also explained why.

"My job as a drill instructor is to make your life as stressful as possible," said Giaquinto, a U.S. Marine veteran and Washington Township police officer who also drills recruits at the Morris County Public Safety and Training Academy. "To create as much chaos as possible. I want to make sure you are ready for that [life-or-death] moment."

He said he ups the volume and intensity for grown-up recruits at the county training academy.

"When I deal with recruits, I yell at them, I scream at them, I hold them accountable to every little aspect because in this job, if you become complacent, which is lazy, not paying attention, it could cost you your life," he told his young charges. "It could cost a civilian their life. It could cost another officer their life. So I have to make sure everyone who wants to be a police officer is ready for that moment, and they do not buckle under that pressure."

Later in the day, Giaquinto showed a softer side during a Q&A with the kids, one of whom asked if he ever lost his voice.

"I lose my voice a lot," he said with a smile. "Every time I drill at the academy, I lose it a little bit more. My wife loves it because I don't talk much at home. I drink my tea, my honey, my cough drops."

Out of earshot of the kids, Giaquinto said he was enjoying his current deployment to Dover.

"I love it, especially when it comes to children," he said. "I want them to experience something they never experienced before."

Sperry, Delaney and Giaquinto were supported by several more Dover officers who volunteered for Junior Academy duty. The program also received sponsorship from the community, including the Dover PBA, Casio, Neilson Chevrolet, Picatinny Federal Credit Union, C&M Metals, the Dover Rotary, Richard and JoAnn Riley, Denville Travel, Wharton ShopRite, Frito Lay and JPS Event Planning.

Home Depot also provided bottled water to keep the participants hydrated. The local Dominos Pizza provided the final lunch on Friday.