In February the East Brunswick Police Department announced a 12-week course, the Citizens Police Academy, to be given for the first time. I signed up, expecting nothing more than a series of lectures, thinking some might even be dull.

I just finished the course, and was I ever wrong in my expectations. The program was fascinating. Much was hands on, and every session was extremely informative and interesting. The insight into the operation of our township's great police department was amazing.

All East Brunswick citizens should take this course to gain a better understanding of what these dedicated and professional police officers do. The hard work and training they undergo is mind-boggling. This 12-week course was the tip of the iceberg in demonstrating how these officers work for the citizens.

Patrolman Robert Zielinski, director of the Citizens Police Academy, Patrolman Frank LoSacco and Patrolman Michael Knoll should be especially commended for their efforts to present this course. The other officers who held classes were officers James Angermeier, Craig Hoover, Sean Tulane, Kevin Garrett, Jason Haykel, Detective Kevin Zebro, Detective Robert Kearstan, animal control officer David Blumig and Lt. Joseph Ur. All of these officers, and many other officers and staff behind the scenes, gave of their time and then some, with many classes running way beyond their allotted time due to the interest shown, as evidenced by the officers' thorough presentations and the questions and answers.

Thank you, East Brunswick police. And a note to Mayor William Neary: Increase the public safety budget, please - the water recovery/scuba team would like a new boat to make it safer to dive.

Barry Williams

East Brunswick