State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association, Inc.  Est. 1975

Basic Juvenile Police Officers Course

November 2nd - 6th, 2026

Westchester County Police Academy

2 Dana Road, Valhalla NY

Cost: $250 members, $350 non-members

This course is intended for the new juvenile officer enter the field as a juvenile justice specialist, who will be dealing with juvenile issues within their community.  It will give Officers a basic introduction to dealing with juvenile related issues, as well as an insight into the systems and programs available to officers when dealing with juvenile issues.  It will also give a basic introduction to handling in depth investigations such as child abuse, sexual abuse, and missing persons.  This course is a must for the officer who has been assigned and just entering the juvenile justice field.

This 5-day, 38-hour SNYPJOA-certified course curriculum will include: role of the juvenile officer, laws and procedures of juvenile custody, laws relating to juveniles and applicable case law, functions of related governmental agencies, juvenile diversion programs, investigative techniques, interview and interrogation skills, interviewing the child victim/witness, child abuse investigations, substance abuse, missing person overview, signs of suicide, and current trends in juvenile crime.

All instructors are DCJS-IDC certified or experts in the field that they instruct.  This course is coordinated by the SNYPJOA Board of Directors and the Westchester County Policy Academy.

Basic Juvenile Police Officers Course

The SNYPJOA 2026 Annual Training Conference has concluded. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended and our sponsors who made this prestigious event possible. 

2026 Youth Officer of The Year Conor Talbut

Vestal PD

2026 School Resource Officer of the Year Jasmine Albert

White Plains PD

2026 Lifetime Achievement Award 

SNYPJOA Past President Anthony Vacca

A Message from our President

October 2026

As we welcome the month of October, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the month that has just passed and also look ahead to all that this beautiful time of year brings across New York State.

September was Suicide Awareness Month, an important reminder of an issue that unfortunately continues to affect our communities, our families, our youth, and our profession. As law enforcement officers, we know all too well the unique pressures and challenges that come with the job. Suicide is a major issue plaguing the law enforcement profession, just as it continues to impact young people throughout our communities. In many ways, this is a problem we share in common with the youth we serve. As Police Juvenile Officers and School Resource Officers, we are often in a position to recognize changes in behavior, offer support, and simply be someone who is willing to listen. While Suicide Awareness Month has ended, our responsibility to check on one another has not. A simple conversation, a phone call, or asking a colleague or young person, “Are you okay?” can make a difference. Let us continue to look out for our fellow officers, our families, our students, and the young people we encounter every day. Sometimes, being present and willing to listen is the first step toward getting someone the help they need.

Fall has officially arrived, bringing with it cooler temperatures, crisp mornings, football games, and the incredible beauty of the changing seasons throughout New York State. From the Adirondacks and Catskills to the Hudson Valley and Western New York, the changing colors remind us of just how fortunate we are to live and work in such a beautiful state. October also brings a tremendous variety of events, festivals, and celebrations throughout New York. From New York Comic Con in New York City, to the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival in Dutchess County, Super DIRT Week in Oswego, and Western New York’s Greatest Fall Festival in Clarence, communities across the state will be coming together to celebrate the season.

And, of course, we will close out the month with one of the biggest events on the calendar for children, Halloween! For our kids, Halloween means costumes, parties, candy, trick-or-treating, and plenty of fun. For those of us serving as School Resource Officers and Juvenile Officers, it is also an opportunity to remind our young people about the importance of making safe choices. We have an important role in teaching children how to enjoy these festivities safely, whether that means discussing pedestrian safety, visibility, safe costumes, staying with friends or trusted adults, checking treats, or reminding children about appropriate behavior while trick-or-treating and attending Halloween events. These conversations may seem simple, but they are part of the everyday work we do to protect and positively influence the young people in our communities. 

I would also like to remind everyone that the State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association will be holding a 5-day/38-hour Basic Juvenile Officers Course from November 2–6, 2026, at the Westchester County Police Academy. This course is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in obtaining their Juvenile Officer certification and expanding their knowledge and skills in working with youth and families. Details and additional information regarding the course can be found here on our website.

As we enter another busy fall season, I encourage all of our members to continue doing what you do best, ….. building relationships, supporting one another, and making a positive difference in the lives of the young people we serve. Thank you for your continued dedication to our profession, our communities, and, most importantly, our children.

Have a safe and enjoyable October, and Happy Halloween!

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. They do not set out to be a leader but become one by the equality of their actions and the integrity of their intentions.”

    -          Douglas MacArthur

Det Charles Kouvel

President

State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association