Students from Berlin Community School watch attentively as officers from the Camden County Sheriff’s Department and Berlin Police Department demonstrate law enforcement techniques during a special Police Week presentation.
Police Week 2025 was marked with excitement, education, and meaningful community engagement as the Berlin Borough Police Department coordinated a weeklong series of presentations and demonstrations at Berlin Community School.
The activities, held from May 11 to May 17, culminated in a special event on Friday, May 30, bringing together officers from Berlin and specialized units from across Camden County to interact with students and showcase the many facets of law enforcement.
Organized by the Berlin Police Department’s Community Relations team, the program gave students and staff a rare opportunity to meet officers from a range of agencies and witness firsthand the equipment and techniques used in various specialized law enforcement operations.
Students had the chance to learn from and interact with the Camden County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit, the Lower Camden County Special Response Team, and members of the Camden County Bomb Squad and Office of Emergency Management. Presentations highlighted the tools, vehicles, and tactics used in real-life emergency and tactical scenarios—ranging from bomb detection to search-and-rescue operations.
Chief Mike Scheer emphasized the importance of Police Week as an educational and relational bridge between law enforcement and the younger generation.
“We utilize agencies that have a variety of resources that most municipalities don’t have—like the Camden County Sheriff’s Department—to assist with Police Week,” he said. “They bring in bomb detection, tracking, and narcotics K9s, including various breeds such as Belgian Malinois, bloodhounds, and German shepherds. We want the students to see the variety of aspects in law enforcement—K9s, SWAT, and all the equipment that supports those units.”
But more than just a show-and-tell, Police Week events serve a deeper purpose: cultivating trust and positive relationships between officers and students.
“The impact on the kids is very positive, which you can tell by how engaged they all are,” Scheer added. “Any time we can engage our youth with positive interactions with law enforcement, it’s a win for everyone.”
The chief noted that one of the standout moments from this year’s events was the level of student participation.
“What really stood out was how engaged the students were and how many questions they asked the officers—it’s truly an awesome week that our department looks forward to each year,” he said.
National Police Week—first established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962—honors law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and recognizes the daily sacrifices officers make to protect their communities. Held every May, the week is also an opportunity to build connections with the public, especially in school environments.
By bringing Police Week into the classroom, departments like Berlin’s aim to break down barriers and humanize the badge, helping students better understand the role of police officers not just as enforcers of the law, but as protectors, mentors, and community partners.
The Berlin Police Department extended its heartfelt thanks to all those who participated and supported this year’s programming.
“Your efforts are a major part of making our Police Week a success—not just this year, but every year,” the department said in a statement.
As the community continues to evolve, Berlin Police say they remain committed to fostering strong relationships with local schools and promoting trust, respect, and safety through ongoing engagement and educational outreach.
