By C1 Staff
TRENTON, NJ — State juvenile justice corrections officers have allegedly been forbidden to volunteer at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.
The Trentonian reports that the officers volunteered to help out at the Mercer County event, but were told by Felix Mickens, the deputy executive director of operations at the Juvenile Justice Commission, that they would not participate.
An unnamed CO said no reasoning on the matter was provided.
“The deputy executive director, who is in charge of juvenile corrections, will not allow his officers in a law enforcement capacity to be a part of something to protect these kids and their families, to help out in any way possible and again these cops were denied to participate outside the fences of the jails,” the officer told the Trentonian.
“The officers would do it for free. They’re not even asking for money.”
A spokesperson for the Juvenile Justice Commission said that, after extensive talks, it was decided that law enforcement resources would not be used in support of this event from the department.
“While we understand that there may have been some confusion, all JJC staff members are welcome to participate and support this event and all other nonprofit activities as volunteers.”
This is not the first time the COs have offered their help and have been turned away. During Superstorm Sandy, the officers made the same offer but were denied.
“Four hundred officers were not permitted to help out. Yet we had other state agencies come in to help out which is a slap in the face,” the source said.