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The Vergennes Police Cadets The Next Generation Of Police Officers

photo by Patty Merkel

photo by Patty Merkel

photo by Patty Merkel

Tuesday March 10, 2015

By Alyse N. Beauchemin

You occasionally see a Vergennes police cadet on a street corner re-routing traffic during a parade or helping local citizens cross the street during the annual Holiday Stroll and it is sometimes hard to distinguish them from actual police officers. They have similar navy blue uniforms with a gold stripe down the pants as do most regular Vergennes officers, but they can be identified by their navy blue baseball caps.  And while they may not actually be officers this group of teenagers exemplifies the guidelines of respect, professionalism, community service and integrity.
   The cadets’ mission is to learn what it is like to become a police officer while serving the community. Under the leadership of Vergennes Chief of Police Chief Merkel and his wife Patty the cadets have done exceptionally well in participating in community service events such as picking up garbage on Green Up day or directing runners in the annual TJM run for lung cancer research.  The cadets have had radio training, self-defense classes and police ride-alongs and were given a rare opportunity to stay overnight at the Vermont Police Academy and observe the soon-to-become police officers go through their training. Nick LaFleche is one of the Vergennes Police Department cadets and stated, “it was a very fun experience for all who went and we have fun doing the things we like doing. So if you are interested in becoming a police officer, you should join the cadet program or see if you are interested.”
The experience has been worthwhile according to other cadets such as Cadet Ben Charboneau who remarks that, “You get to meet a lot of new people. Also you get time in the field along with going to the police academy. Lots of fun memories are made with the group .” Cadet Haley Boise agrees and adds that, “I can say that I joined the group because I’m interested in law enforcement and Chief Merkel does a great job with teaching us the nuts and bolts of police work.” While you may not notice the teenagers in police-style uniforms and baseball caps, you can be sure that these cadets are out helping their community and training for a time when they can be the future leaders and police officers in their local community.

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