Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES

Administrative Office: 20104 State Route 3, Watertown, NY

13601
Bohlen Tech Center: 20104 State Rt. 3, Watertown, NY 13601
Sackett Tech Center: 5836 State Rt. 12, Glenfield, NY 13343

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Nathan Lehman, Information Coordinator
Phone: 315-779-7025
Email: nlehman@boces.com

Two High School Seniors Become School Traffic Officers

Jefferson-Lewis BOCES and the Watertown Police Department have entered into a partnership to
allow two high school seniors the opportunity to gain on-the-job training.
Brianna Augustus, Belleville Henderson, and Paige Mitchell, General Brown, have been hired by
the Watertown Police Department to be School Traffic Officers. Both students currently attend
Criminal Justice classes at the Charles H. Bohlen Jr. Technical Center in Watertown. Each
school day until the end of the year, the two students will be assigned to guard crosswalks near
elementary schools within the Watertown School District.
This program marks the first time that paid positions with the Watertown Police Department have
been offered to BOCES students. Previously, only internships have been offered.
This shows the trust that they have in the program, says Jeffrey Scofield, Criminal Justice II
instructor. It gives it a lot of credence.
The partnership also fills a need for the Watertown Police Department according to Officer
Shane Ryan, who says the department was struggling to fill the part time crossing guard
positions.
We thought we could reach out to the Criminal Justice program and that it would make for a
good partnership, says Officer Ryan. I think this is a good way to help the program and the
community.

Im really excited, says Paige, who added that being in law enforcement has been a long term
career goal for her. Ever since I was little, I looked up to police, watching them on television,
trying to help the community. I never looked at anything other than law enforcement.
Its a good way to get my foot in the door, says Brianna of the opportunity. She adds that she
was also attracted to law enforcement through television shows like Criminal Minds. I want to
help people.
Both students plan to pursue law enforcement after graduation. Paige plans on attending JCC and
then transferring to SUNY Canton. Briannas plans include SUNY Canton. Both hope to obtain
their masters.
I want to thank the Bohlen Technical Center, my teachers, and the Watertown Police
Department for this opportunity, says Paige.

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Media outlets interested in further coverage should

contact Nathan Lehman at 315-779-7025 or
nlehman@boces.com