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Crime & Safety

Junior Detectives Sworn In at Kentlands Mansion

The Gaithersburg Police Department in collaboration with City staff created a fun, police-themed day for parents and children on the grounds of Kentlands Mansion.

Junior Detective Day, held for the first time at Kentlands Mansion on Sunday, July 17, drew nearly 50 participants from the area. Gaithersburg Police led a group of prospective Junior Detectives through a four-station quest to earn their badges.

"We wanted an event geared to kids," said Kristy King, Parks, Recreation and Culture. "We had always done Princess Teas in the past. The Gaithersburg Police were fabulous in helping create the event."

Children and accompanying adults made their way through the various stations on grounds of Kentlands Mansion and were able to peek into the motor engine of a police vehicle parked on the grass on the hill of the Mansion. They walked around and climbed into a police car equipped with two radios and a computerized traffic ticketing system.

"In local police departments we usually have one officer to a car," explained Officer Thompson who gave participants a briefing on the equipment available to officers in their vehicles and who also placed a great emphasis on safety when discussing decision-making procedures in the police force.

Officer Dan Lane demonstrated how to use handcuffs and a tazer gun, which carries 50,000 Volts of electricity, Lane said. As he encouraged participants to try on a bullet-proof vest, he also added the caviat that these things get very heavy after you've worn them for eight to ten hours on a regular workday.

Corporal Eastman who is also a K-9 Officer introduced Max, a four-year-old, 85-pound Belgian Malinois, who was born in the Czech Republic and was trained by the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC. Max was donated to the Gaithersburg Police by the when he was one year old in 2008.

A second Officer Thompson helped everyone create their badges, certifying their credentials. He asked everyone to choose a code name as is customary in the Police Force.

"Behind every name, there's a reputation," he warned and welcomed the newly-badged cohort to the team.

To make things official, Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sroka swore in participants in a formal ceremony. With their right hand up, Junior Detectives swore their allegiance to character, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and citizenship.

A lunch provided by event organizers and ice cream punctuated the events on this toasty and humid summer Sunday.

"The Kentlands Mansion staff were great in helping organize the event," said Corporal Eastman. "I knew which age-group to address beforehand, which was a great help."

According to King, two similar events are planned for the fall and the spring.

To find out more about Kentlands Mansion, click here.

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