By Mary Pritchard, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Corrie Edstrom and Katrina DiGiacomo, both 16 and juniors at Shrewsbury High School, recently completed the Student Trooper Program at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree this summer. The mentally and physically demanding program, open to 15- to 17-year-old high school students, uses a paramilitary approach to training. Student troopers experience classroom instruction, hands-on training, challenging physical training, and strict discipline.
According to the Mass.gov website, “our desire is to recruit youths representing all communities and cultural backgrounds and to increase their understanding of the job of police officers. The program is designed to expose young adults to the demands of police training and to develop better relationships between the youth of our communities and the police that serve them.”
Veteran Massachusetts State Police trainers provide classroom and hands-on training in topics such as first aid/CPR, criminal law, officer safety, crime scene investigations, safe driving, leadership, Internet safety, team building and physical fitness. Student Troopers also observe and participate in demonstrations by members of State Police specialty units such as tactical teams, the K-9 Unit, and the Air Wing.
Both Corrie and Katrina are interested in careers in law enforcement and each discovered the program through family friends.
Corrie’s week as a student trooper was sponsored by Ray Stone American Legion Post #238 in Shrewsbury.
“Since I want to be in law enforcement, my parents and I thought it would be good for me,” she said. “The first day was tough – a lot harder than I expected. It was more physically demanding than I expected it to be. After the first day it got much better. I adjusted and it was fun. The best part was the feeling of accomplishment when the week was finished. It was a great experience – I’m glad I did it.”
Parents attend a meeting when they drop their children off at the academy.
“Before we left we were advised of the rules and warned that the program would be tough for them,” Corrie’s mother, Kim, said. “It was very impressive to see them on graduation day.”
Katrina is interested in becoming a State Trooper.
“It wasn’t what I expected” she said. “Day one was a lot to take in. It was very strict but once I got the hang of it, it got better and I knew it was good for me. They said it would be part military training so I knew it would be tough. Learning codes, learning to recite discipline, honor code, count on deck, and following directions, hoping you didn’t mess up was difficult. At the end of day one you’re in bed thinking how can I do three more days of this, but you get through it.”
Katrina said the best part was learning about all the different divisions within the Massachusetts State Police.
“We were able to get to know the troopers and talk with them when we were ‘at ease,’” she explained. “I learned so much from them. It was great to have conversation and hear about how they got where they are. At the end it’s a relief to know you’ll see your family and be in contact with friends again, but I missed it, too. It made me very appreciative of the life I live.”