Johnston-Hopkins principal Ashley Lewis, left, and NIPD Corporal Christine Clark-Gammage celebrate with Outstanding Cadets Abigail Romero and Tavion Comeaux.

38 junior police officers, ranging from 3rd to 6th grade, were honored at the 2024 New Iberia Police Department Junior Police Officer Academy Graduation Wednesday at Johnston-Hopkins Elementary School.

Corporal Christine Clark-Gammage, the School Resource Officer at Johnston-Hopkins and leader of the junior police academy, said that she was surprised with how successful the program’s first year was.

“Participation was really good,” she said. “The kids enjoyed it, they were eager to learn each week. They always wanted to know what we were doing next week and who they were going to meet. It was a great program.”

The academy runs for 10 weeks in the fall and spring semesters, with students able to attend the academy each year that they attend school at Johnston-Hopkins.Clark-Gammage said that she hopes to grow her ranks as the program continues.

“The more the merrier,” she said. “My goal was to get at least 50 per semester, so hopefully we can grow to that.”

Currently, Johnston-Hopkins is the only elementary school in Iberia Parish with a junior police academy, but the success of the program might be enough to get other schools to offer it soon.

Tavion Comeaux and Abigail Romero were honored as the Outstanding Cadets. Jordan Hopes (3rd grade), Caris Latulas (4th grade), Jaiana Brown (5th grade) and T’Liah Daye (6th grade) were honored for their outstanding notebooks.

For more information about the program, contact Johnston-Hopkins Principal Ashley Lewis at aslewis@iberiaschools.org or 337-369-9687