Joshua Lopez, a sophomore at Monsignor Scanlan High School, recently received a letter from the Police Athletic League informing him that he was being selected as an award recipient in this year’s Police Commissioner for a Day essay contest. Joshua’s award category is Deputy Commissioner Awards: Information Technology.
On Tuesday, June 3, Joshua was picked up and brought to One Police plaza. There he got to meet with top officials from the New York Police Department as well as Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, who is the chairman of the Police Athletic League.
In his essay, Joshua mentioned a number of steps he would take if he were Police commissioner even for a day. He spoke of more security cameras, a greater police presence, and of increasing sentences for certain crimes. He also spoke of the need for citizens to participate in neighborhood watch programs and suggested a small tax reduction as a reward for involvement. Finally, he stressed the need for major changes within the prison system.
