PARK RIDGE—Her career move was inevitable and wonderful. Naturally, residents and others, when the Park Ridge Police Department invited congratulations for its newest officer—also its first female officer, and a proven ally of the borough’s families and schoolchildren—jumped at the chance.
Posting Dec. 15, the department said, “We are thrilled to announce and congratulate Julia Manning on her recent graduation from the Bergen County Police Academy! We are incredibly proud to have Julia as part of our team, and we are confident that she will excel in her duties while fostering positive relationships within our community.”
The department said, “Please join us in congratulating Julia Manning on her graduation and welcoming her to the Park Ridge Police Department!”
Nearly 80 folks did so within days, adding their cheers, warm wishes, and, in Melanie Ehrhart-Powers’ words, “Congratulations and welcome to the finest police department!”
Kevin Dormer posted, “Congratulations and best of luck, rookie! Watch your six and listen to those who know. Have a wonderful career!”
Olga Ortiz-Mahoney wrote, “Bravo, Officer Manning! And thank you!”
We profiled Manning in July 2019—“Julia Manning, Park Ridge grad, D.A.R.E.s to lead”—when she was the only high school student from New Jersey chosen to be D.A.R.E. America’s New Jersey Youth Advocacy Board (YAB) representative.
A proclamation from Mayor Keith Misciagna and the Borough Council on June 11, 2019 explained that Manning “volunteered and worked tirelessly” in connection with the D.A.R.E. program in Park Ridge, providing guidance and support on friendship, anxiety, stress, anti-bullying, and social media safety.
Manning helped D.A.R.E. America launch its K–12 Anti-Opioid and Over-the-Counter/Rx Drug Abuse Prevention curricula. She was instrumental in working with the Park Ridge Police Department and School Superintendent Dr. Robert Gamper in initiating the new program in Park Ridge.
D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, was at the time taught in more than 300,000 classrooms in 54 countries and all 50 states. More than 36 million students K–12 are positively impacted by D.A.R.E. each year.
Manning participated in both the D.A.R.E. program and Peer Leadership her sophomore, junior, and senior high school years—and led in varsity soccer and softball throughout her high school career, holding the position of senior soccer captain and earning Second Team All-League twice and honorable mention in varsity softball.
Manning went on to graduate summa cum laude from Pace University–Pleasantville (New York) with a bachelor of arts degree in applied psychology with human relations and minors in criminal justice and homeland security.
She graduated as a Park Ridge police officer from the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute on Dec. 15. On that occasion, she posted on her LinkedIn, “These past 22 weeks have been challenging both mentally and physically, but has prepared and provided me with the tools and skills I’ll need to protect and serve my community.”
She said, “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the continuous support from my family, friends, instructors and the Park Ridge Police Department.” She thanked her fellow classmates/officers from the Basic Course for Police Officers Class 131.
The New Jersey Youth Advocacy Board noted that its alumna, Manning, of Park Ridge, was the recipient of the 2019 D.A.R.E. America Louis “Skip” Miller National Scholarship Award.
During her three years as a Youth Advocacy Board member, some of her many projects were:
- Implementing D.A.R.E. at the middle school and high school levels;
- Implementing the K-12 opioid drug abuse prevention lesson program;
- Creating PSA videos about the dangers of opioids;
- Conducting DWI reenactments at her school before prom and graduation;
- Having recovering addicts speak to the health classes about their struggle with addiction and how they have sought help;
- Helping Park Ridge Police Department bring the “NOT EVEN ONCE” programs to the junior health students. This program educates students on the dangers of opiates;
- Speaking at the 5th grade D.A.R.E. graduations in her town; and
- Participating in local town events such as; “coffee with a cop,” Back to “scoop” night, Elks “walk out on drugs”, and speaking to the middle school and underclassman about her experience with D.A.R.E.
The New Jersey Youth Advocacy Board said the Park Ridge Police Department has been actively supporting the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program since 1989.
Chief Joseph Madden announced that Manning was sworn in as a police officer for the Park Ridge Police Department on July 11 and that she was to attend the Bergen County Law and Public
Safety Academy starting July 21.