Four cadets from the Atlantic Highlands Police Department attended the 2025 NJ Youth Academy at Drew University this year, and were honored at the meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council this month for their training and their dedication towards working hard throughout the year to earn the honor of attending.
Renan Vieira and Ethan Zito were two of the four cadets in attendance this year, making it the second year for both at the Academy. Attending with them were Maria Mertens and Gavin Dunzello, both attending the prestigious school for the first time.
Atlantic Highlands Patrolman Davi Cunha was also honored at the Council meeting for his excellence, not only as a regular officer on the department but also as part of the academy staff with “Phase One class responsibility.
Part of Patrolman Cunha’s work with the program included sharing responsibilities with two officers from other jurisdictions in scheduling the week of classes and activities, including arranging for guest speakers for training and leading the class of approximately 35 to 40 cadets from throughout New Jersey.
Cunha noted the cadets from Atlantic Highlands train all year for this academy. Cadets are selected on the basis of their high interest in attending as well as their efforts for the department throughout the year. “All four assisted our community in town events and are very committed to our Cadet program,” the office said.
Cunha was responsible for starting the program nearly four years ago and noted that “thus far all Cadets always enjoy meeting once or twice a month for training and to assist with Town events.”
The fee to attend the academy this year was $950 per student, which in Atlantic Highlands, the local PBA pays. Donations and sponsors are always welcome. The single additional donation for the cadets to attend this year was made by the Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad who underwrote the cost of a portion of the total tuition.
For the students, the academy is divided in four phases. The first phase is the first-year attendees, second for the second-year attendees and continuing.
Each phase has different classes and trainings depending on how many years the cadets have attended the academy.
In Phase one cadets have CPR training, learn about report writing, arrest search and seizure, motor vehicle stops, stop the bleed and domestic violence as core trainings and classes. Guest speakers volunteer time to give a two-hour class on other topics such as crime scene investigation, FBI, Secret Service, body language, DWI/SFST (drunk driving), Monmouth County Prosecutors Office electronic K9 and ICAC, Title 39 (traffic laws, Title 2C (criminal Law) and motor vehicle crashes.
Cunha also noted that one of the borough’s residents from the U.S. Coast Guard, the father of Academy student Ethan Zito volunteered to instruct one of the classes.
In addition to the heavy academic schedule, Cunha said there are multiple exercises in class concentrating on the Cadet’s communication skills and ability to speak in front of large crowds
All training and classes for Phase 1 are graded by Cunha and one other officer for selection of the top three Cadets from each academy to receive awards upon completion. This year Cadet Ethan Zito received the second-place award on domestic Violence training for Phase 2.
Throughout the program at Drew University, the cadets are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and have marching training between classes.
“Our main goal for the Atlantic Highlands police department and NJYA is to teach discipline, respect, a good perspective of Law Enforcement career and life saving skills such as CPR, stop the bleed, “ Cunha said with the determination and enthusiasm which keeps him the popular but disciplined leader of the program in the borough. “Last but not least, “ he adds, “ we want the Cadets to have fun, learn and want to come back the next year. “
.Any youth wanting to join the cadet program in the borough can join from 14 years of age to 18. Interested teens should contact Patrolman Cunha by email, police phone line or personally coming into the department.
The police cadet program in the borough is free of charge with parents purchasing the first set of uniforms at approximately $90.00. The academy fee is paid by department, donations and Cadet fundraising throughout the year.
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