Princeton Police Bring Back Youth Academy After 1-Year Pause

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton is bringing back its 2026 Youth Police Academy after it was suspended last year.

At the May 26 Council meeting, Police Chief Matthew Solovay shared his April 2026 monthly report.

"Due to staffing challenges and a decline in participation interest, the program was suspended last year," Solovay said. "However, we felt it was important to once again provide this opportunity for the community's youth to gain an inside look into law enforcement and the work of the Princeton Police Department."

According to Solovay, the academy will run from July 13 through July 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

It is open to students entering sixth, seventh and eighth grade this coming September.

Solovay said the department hopes the program will help strengthen relationships with younger residents while offering a positive and educational summer experience.

He also gave an update on the department's citizens police academy.

The program has completed six weeks and has two sessions remaining. The participants, he said, have been highly engaged and interested in learning about policing generally and how it is carried out in Princeton.

"It has been an outstanding group, and we are very much looking forward to these final two weeks with them," Solovay said. "Programs such as this continue to provide valuable opportunities for transparency, dialogue, and relationship building with the community."

In the same report, Solovay said the department hosted its 2026 wheels rodeo on May 16.

He described it as a long-standing community event focused on bicycle and roadway safety education for children and families.

The event was held in recognition of Bike Safety Month and was coordinated with several community stakeholders.

It included hands-on instruction on safe riding practices, traffic laws, roadway features, helmet safety and bicycle handling skills.

The event also included bicycle safety inspections, helmet fittings, a mock roadway course, giveaways, and a collaborative raffle effort with the Princeton Recreation Department.

Solovay said officers interacted with families and community members throughout the event, and he reported that the program drew significant community participation.

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