Crime & Safety
Police Explorer Aims For Professionalism
Brandan Zevits has been an explorer for two years.
- Name: Brendan Zevits has lived in Montville for two years. The 14-year-old has also been a member of the Montville Township Police Explorers Post 805 for “approximately 2 years,” Zevits said. The incoming high school freshman has achieved the rank of corporal.
- Why This Squad: “I found it interesting,” said Zevits of the training Police Explorers offers. In Montville Township, the Police Explorer program is under the direction of Ptl. Frank Cooney. Cooney, a Montville Police officer, has been involved with Police Explorers for 27 years; since he was 13-years-old. Zevits knew about the program because Cooney is a family friend.
- Training: “Explorers is year round,” explained Zevits. The club has meetings and training events in addition to performing real work within the community. “We do community service and we serve at community events,” Zevits said. The post’s training events focus on police work protocol and procedure. Each meeting explores a specific topic such as how to enter a building where a possible burglary is taking place, or how to properly handcuff a perpetrator. “We practice handcuffing with handcuffs,” said Zevits. “We learn how to properly handcuff someone. So we would not get hurt and they get restrained.”
- The Academy: On June 30, Zevits was one of 29 cadets who graduated from the Montville Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Academy at the County of Morris Public Safety Training Academy. “That was a good experience,” Zevits said. “It really put things into perspective as to what you have to do as a Police Explorer.” At the eight day academy, Explorers worked in teams and as individuals. For 17 hours each day Explorers competed against each other and themselves to learn law enforcement skills and team work. “It was very difficult, with all the pressure,” said Zevits. The cadet admitted that everyone thought about quitting, and, in fact, some people did. But, he found that his fellow Explorers encouraged and supported each other. “It was a good experience,” he added. “I’d recommend it.”
- Community Contributions: The Police Explorers participate in road cleanups and traffic control duties for area events. They also assist officers, and actually ride along in police cars during routine patrols in the community.
- Most Rewarding: “We get to learn professionalism,” Zevits said. “We get to be with all of our team mates and fellow Explorers. We really bond as a team.” The Explorers of Post 805 also compete against other Explorer posts, and attend a national competition.
- Most Important Lesson: “Do everything I do with professionalism and confidence,” Zevits said of the skills and lessons he has learned from his work in the Police Explorers program.
- Education: Two years ago Zevits moved to Montville from Ringwood, NJ. This fall he will attend Montville Township High School. The volunteer is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. Zevits’ father is a Hudson County prosecutor. “Something like that would interest me,” added Zevits about his future career plans. “I definitely want to go to college. Whether I become a cop or not, I will always have a window of opportunity, especially with doing Police Explorers, because wherever I go I know I will carry everything that I learned in Police Explorers with me.”
- Favorite Thing About Montville Township: “I just love Montville,” Zevits said.”The people absolutely, and the way it looks.” In comparing the town to his old community, Zevits feels Montville has more to offer. “The schools are great. The teachers are great, and it really, really does show in the schools.”
- Other Activities: Zevits is a three season athlete. This fall he will play football at Montville High School. During the winter and spring he will run for the school's track team.
- Hobbies: “I love skiing and all water sports,” noted Zevits. At his family’s house on Long Island, he spends a lot of time practicing water sports. He also likes to drive boats.
- Want Others To Know About the Squad: “It’s a great program. Try it out.”
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