Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León and Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice Dean Nancy La Vigne announced a comprehensive public safety career pathway designed to prepare high school students for future careers in the Newark Police and Fire Divisions, at City Hall today.
The initiative builds on the district’s existing public safety programming by creating a structured pipeline that connects high school learning to college opportunities and, ultimately, careers in the Police and Fire Departments in the City of Newark.
“We’re excited to announce this collaboration that adds another educational program where Newark students graduate from high school with an associate degree – providing them both financial savings and a head start toward their career,” said Mayor Baraka. “This new public safety career pathway will also serve as our local solution to the national shortage of police and fire professionals, providing a pipeline of young residents to train for service in our city. And, even if these students ultimately decide that public safety is not what they want to do, the transferable skills they acquire will be invaluable in any career.”
The City of Newark’s involvement reflects a growing need to recruit and develop the next generation of public safety professionals. By introducing students to these careers early and supporting their academic and professional growth, the initiative strengthens the city’s long-term workforce pipeline.
“This direct career pathway for graduating students provides an accredited, education-based resource that supports the hiring of future Newark Police and Firefighters,” Director Miranda said. “I join Police Chief Sharonda Morris and Fire Deputy Chief Larry Best in applauding the young people who are joining this initiative. Of all the choices they could have made for their futures, we are grateful that they decided to serve the Newark Department of Public Safety through this groundbreaking program,” he added.
Offering students a pathway to either a police or fire career, the curriculum includes hands-on training, academic coursework, and mentorship from professionals in law enforcement and fire service.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to providing students with meaningful pathways to successful, purpose-driven careers,” said Superintendent León. “By aligning our schools with the City of Newark and Rutgers–Newark, we are creating a direct pipeline for our students to serve their communities while building strong professional futures.”
With guidance and expert input from professionals at Newark’s Department of Public Safety, Newark Public Schools and Rutgers University-Newark, the program offers coursework and experiential training in two pathways.
Police Pathway:
In collaboration with the City of Newark, students will explore careers in law enforcement through coursework, career exposure, and professional development opportunities aligned to modern policing standards. The pathway is designed to support long-term advancement, including access to college-level coursework through dual enrollment and preparation for future civil service opportunities.
The partnership with Rutgers University – Newark strengthens this pathway by providing students with opportunities to earn college credit while in high school, building a foundation for degrees in criminal justice and related fields.
Over the course of the program, students are introduced to:
- Police service culture, chain of command, and accountability
- Physical fitness preparation for the Police Academy
- Newark’s police precincts
- The Newark Police Academy
- CPR and AED use
- Radio communication and incident command structure
- Mentoring
- Guest speakers
Fire Pathway:
At the center of the fire service track is a structured Fire Cadet Training Program, designed as a “mini academy” that introduces students to the fundamentals of the fire service in a safe, controlled environment.
The program emphasizes discipline, safety, and foundational skill development through a consistent instructional model that includes classroom learning, hands-on training, and structured debriefs.
Over the course of the program, students are introduced to:
- Fire service culture, chain of command, and accountability
- Personal protective equipment and safety protocols
- Fire behavior and basic fire dynamics
- Hose handling, ladder operations, and apparatus familiarization
- CPR, AED use, and scene safety
- Radio communication and incident command structure
- Search and rescue concepts in controlled settings
- Physical fitness aligned to the demands of the profession
The program culminates in a scenario-based evaluation, reinforcing key skills in a structured, safety-first environment.
“On behalf of both Rutgers University-Newark and the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice, we are honored to be a part of this important initiative,” said Dean La Vigne. “I am excited to be able to support the students in exploring potential careers in public safety. Together, we can expose students to new ideas mentor their ambitions and help them see multiple pathways into careers in public safety that are grounded in service and integrity and evidence.”
Throughout the training, students remain in a strictly controlled setting: they do not enter hazardous environments, perform firefighting operations, or operate equipment beyond supervised instruction.
District leaders emphasized that the initiative is part of Newark Public Schools’ broader strategy to align education with workforce opportunities—ensuring that students graduate with clear pathways to college, careers, and community leadership.
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