By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

FIFTY students at Hopwood Junior High School graduated from the Junior Police Officers program on Friday.
Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lei Ogumoro Uludong said the junior police officers are from 7th and 8th grade classes.
DPS Commissioner Rebecca Warfield, Education Commissioner David Borja and Hopwood principal Christy Tudela Masga attended the graduation rites.
Police Sgt. James Deleon Guerrero was the keynote speaker.
Warfield urged the junior officers to exemplify good leadership and be role models to their peers.
The junior police officers performed a marching drill after the certificates of completion were given to them.
Other similar DPS programs include the Law Enforcement Explorer Program and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program.
DPS said these programs encourage and motivate CNMI youth to become pro-active and effective individuals.
Uludong said the junior police program emphasizes teamwork which is similar to how DPS operates under its “One Department, One Force” vision.
The Junior Police Program is for elementary and middle school students while the Law Enforcement Explorer Program is for high school students.
Each program offers instruction in decision-making, the importance of respect and helping others, volunteerism and staying away from drugs and gang violence.
Each program is formulated to teach the students leadership skills that will build self-esteem and confidence.