Six hundred young people were sworn into duty Tuesday at One Police Plaza for the start of the NYPD summer youth program.
Hundreds of New York’s youth filed into an auditorium inside One Police Plaza on July 5 to begin orientation for what will be many of the attendees’ first employment experience. Engaging in everything from facial composite sketching and photography to fleet service and even inside the police commissioner’s office.
The summer positions not only offer a decent wage, but a vast knowledge and experience that the NYPD hopes will help guide them on their career path — regardless of whether that’s in law enforcement.
The 2022 Summer youth program is also noteworthy for being the first year to incorporate individuals with disabilities in the workplace, including those who are fully deaf or hearing impaired.
“This year is very special to us because for the first time ever, we have hired 20 fully deaf young people, we have 10 hard of hearing young people, and eleven young people with other disabilities, autism, learning disabilities, and we partner with the DOE for that as well,” Alden Foster, the Director of Youth Services and Community Engagement at the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, told amNewYorkMetro.
Foster says that the NYPD has been planning and coordinating for about seven months to fill hundreds of summer youth employment slots. While Tuesday was simply the orientation with NYPD officials providing one-on-one interactions and discussions, allowing youth workers to get an overview of their positions, Wednesday will be the start of their first day at their worksites, which includes precincts all over the city.
The deaf and hard of hearing young people will be partnered with NYPD officers, uniformed staff, and civilian staff who are well versed in sign language.
“They’ll be working side by side with them and engaging them,” Foster explained. “There’ll be going out in the community with the officers, and we really did a good survey internally. We have personnel who are fully deaf that work here and it serves two purposes. We’re going to now include the deaf community in the actual NYPD family but what this is going to do, it’s going to show the deaf young people that you could still work for the NYPD.”
Community-based organizations and other providers selected candidates for the summer youth employment, institutions such as the Police Athletic League and the Children’s Aid Society. This process allows young, eager workers, especially those who would not normally work with the NYPD, an opportunity to learn and engage with officers.
Deaf summer youth employee Alberto told amNewYork Metro that he is excited to begin work with the department and see what the future holds for him.
“This is one of the best days of my life,” Alberto said with the help of Officer Angel Familia who interpreted the sign language.
Alberto was in awe during his first visit to One Police Plaza, and while he is still learning the details behind his summer position, he is excited for the new endeavor.
“Well, this is an amazing opportunity for us. I mean really to look forward to the future and I’m curious as to what this has to bring for us. You know, this is my life that we’re speaking about,” Alberto said, “I’m really looking forward to doing this summer youth employment and maybe find a position in the NYPD that I can obtain a career in.”
For Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs Mark Stewart, the orientation contained potential and hope for the future.
“We want to make sure that they have the skills and they’re ready to go out, do the job and get the job done. And in the future, they can also be able to interact with other kids, and not just through social media, but the interaction face to face,” Stewart told amNewYork Metro.
At the conclusion of the orientation, the 600 summer youth workers donned NYPD officer caps and raised their right hands to be sworn in for duty.
