Sixteen Allentown youths graduated today from the first Allentown Police Department Advanced Youth Police Academy. Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald were on hand for the graduation ceremony in City Council Chambers.

The students were provided courses of instruction by city police officers and instructors from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. Course work included scenario based training.

Officer James Stanko headed-up the program under the direction of Captain Glen Dorney.

The department offers special thanks to the Center City Initiative, the project steering committee and area businesses for their monetary and item donations to support the program.

Members of the graduating class are: Daniel Alvarez, Eliezer Andino, Trey Barrett, Ian Butz, Hector Buxo, Jody Eaches, Nadia Goeins, Jamar Harrison, Izaiah Newsome, Aasia Parris, Ria Ramos, Ronaldo Ranceros, Jaden Rivera, Tayjun Rivers, Emanuel Rosa and Iain Snyder.

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