– Davi Cunha wasn’t in his new position as a police officer on the local department very long when he wanted something more to do. He knew there had been an active Police Explorer post in the borough in the past, and felt bad it had ended due to lack of funding and other aspects. At the same time, he knew he could do something about it and approached Chief Dave Rossbach with a plan.
The former Chief was interested and enthused, but preparing for his own retirement and suggested Cunha wait for the new chief so he can profit from his experience and recommendations.
It was one of the first ideas Chief Scott Reinert took on and gave permission and guidelines to start.
Cunha, a first generation American born son of Brazilian parents, was born in Perth Amboy and lived and attended school in Long Branch until he was 11 years old. The family then moved to Brazil where the new officer attended school from fourth to ninth grades before coming back to the United States.
He attended Shore Regional High School, and opened his own flooring business before graduation, but completed his education and was awarded his GED from Brookdale Community College.
His background and enthusiasm were more than enough for the Chief to authorize his going ahead with the Police Explorer Program.
The officer has made great strides since beginning the program almost immediately after Reinert became chief, inviting teens between the ages of 14 and 18 to stop in and see him and learn more about it. He invited them sign up for the program which offers benefits of training in a variety of areas, activity with other teens and professionals, and perks that include going along on patrols, uniforms for specific events and occasions, and a lot of fun.
That was evident recently when Shannon Kenny, a 16 year old junior at Henry Hudson stopped in police headquarters to meet with Cunha and find out more about the program her friends had been talking about.
The officer greeted her warmly, encouraged her to sit and relax, and after some preliminary remarks, asked her a series of questions which ranged from how she gets along with her parents (“Great!) to her plans after graduation, and why she wants to join the Police Explorers. He then gave her a packet of information, explained some of what her duties and obligations would be as a member, and explained while all posts members get the basic uniform of a blue polo shirt with insignia, and black pants, members have to earn the honor of also receiving a Class A uniform to be work when with an officer or on a training experience.
The enthusiastic teen asked when she could sign up and excitedly left the meeting to show her father all she had learned.
Cunha, who said about 20 teens have already signed on to the program, noted that some of the programs they will be receiving are classes in CPR, emergency training, fire and health safety, reactions when faced with hazardous decisions and other programs which will help the teens become more responsible, more able to help others, and more mature in their choices.
Currently meetings are held once a month, with more scheduled as the group wants them, and activities which include paint ball in addition to those ride-along with officers and other activities the teens will help plan.
The Post works in union with Highlands and Middletown Police Explorers as well, Cunha he said, broadening the teens’ experiences while at the same time enabling them to help others and become better associated with more police departments and their activities.
“This is an outstanding program for all teens,” Chief Reinert said, “and Officer Cunha is the perfect coordinator for it. He is eager, enthusiastic and has an outstanding rapport with all the residents regardless of age, since he has been on the department.”
Cunha said his work with the Police Explorers is in addition to his regular patrols and other police duties, and he eagerly plans and arranges the meetings as an opportunity to meet with youth, get them more involved with entertaining and learning experiences, and learning the benefits of helping others.
Teens wanting to become a part of this new, adventurous Police Post can contact Cunha or any police officer, or stop in at police headquarters and request an application. “Once one teen joins, we find he or she has other friends who have never hear of the program, but are now eager to seek it out as well. We welcome them all,” Cunha said.
