Middlesex Sheriff’s Office celebrates the third Youth Public Safety Academy graduation of 2022

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian congratulated nearly 80 graduates of the Youth Public Safety Academy’s (YPSA) third session of 2022 during a ceremony at Chelmsford High School on Friday, July 29.  The cadets were primarily from the communities of Billerica, Lowell, Wilmington and Woburn.

In addition to hearing from Sheriff Koutoujian and local leaders, recruits and their families also heard special remarks from FBI Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Joseph Bonavolonta.

YPSA was first established by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in 1999, and focuses on sharing important public safety lessons on issues like internet safety, fire preparedness and prevention, water safety skills and more.  The academy is open to youngsters ages 8-12 from across Middlesex County, as well as older cadets who may participate through the YPSA’s Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program.

“After two years of remote programming, we are proud to welcome cadets, their families and our community partners back to YPSA,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Throughout its history, YPSA has provided valuable opportunities for the county’s youngest residents to get to know some of the corrections officers, police officers and firefighters who serve their communities on a daily basis.  It also teaches cadets crucial lessons about teambuilding, friendship and public safety that they take back to their homes, schools and communities.  That is why I truly believe this is one of the best, most comprehensive camps around and why we are so excited to be back this summer.”

With last week’s completion, approximately 210 individuals have already graduated from this summer’s program.  This summer’s final session runs August 1-5 with cadets primarily from the communities of Chelmsford, Malden/ Everett, Maynard/ Acton and Waltham/ Newton. 

To learn more about YPSA and some of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office other community-based programming, visit middlesexsheriff.org/community.

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Photo Caption: Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian (back row center), FBI Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta (back row, first from right), Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin (back row, fourth from right), Woburn Police Chief Robert Rufo (back row, third from right), Woburn School Committeeman Michael Mulrenan (back row, third from left), Governor’s Councillor Marilyn Petitto Devaney (second row, first from right) and members of the Woburn Police Department were in attendance Friday, July 29, 2022 to recognize graduates of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) from Woburn.