Zeeshan Bakhtiar knows exactly what he wants to do after he graduates in June.
“I want to be a cop,” the Atlantic City High School senior said. “That is my fundamental goal.”
He doesn’t plan to go straight to the Police Academy, instead planning to first earn a college degree to better prepare for a career in law enforcement.
That's why he joined the Atlantic City High School Public Safety Academy.
The program has given him an introduction to the field. By the time he graduates, Bakhtiar will have earned eight college credits through Atlantic Cape Community College.
"I took Intro to Criminal Justice, Freshman Seminar, and now I'm taking a Juvenile Justice course," he said.
Students like Bakhtiar interested in public safety professions are once again getting hands-on exposure to careers in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services and beach patrol through the Atlantic City High School Public Safety Academy.
Student Zeeshan Bakhtiar wants to be a police officer.The program is growing, with plans to hire additional staff next year.
Donald Harris, director of Secondary Education, said the academy combines a rigorous, engaging curriculum with real-world career development.
“We want to give them an opportunity to train in and gain exposure to a wide range of careers in public safety,” he said.
Originally launched in 2019 — and temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic — the
academy gives students direct access to professionals from the Atlantic City Police and Fire departments, Beach Patrol, and Emergency Medical Services. Through classroom instruction and real-world interaction, students gain early insight into promising public safety careers.
“The optimum outcome is to have the program expose them to these career paths,” said Board of Education President Shay Steele, who also is a fire captain. “The end game is to increase career opportunities for Atlantic City residents.”
Steele, who played a key role in launching the initiative, said the greatest challenge is making sure more students know the program exists.
"We want our students to be aware that this is something that they can take advantage of," he said.
Board of Education President Shay Steele is a captain on the Atlantic City Fire Department.Nakesha Lawrence-Chowdhury, who teaches Fundamentals and Essentials of Public Safety classes, said she brings in guest speakers, organizes field trips and designs coursework to help students make informed decisions.
“We are wrapping up marking period three with police career information,” she said. “We save beach patrol for fourth marking period, getting them prepared to take the lifeguard test.”
Harris emphasized that the program goes beyond just career exploration.
“It helps build relationships and opens doors to high-paying, in-demand jobs,” he said.
There also is flexibility.
“If you don’t necessarily want to be a police officer, there are other jobs in law enforcement that you can do that are connected to being a police officer. If you don’t want to be a firefighter, there are other jobs in fire safety that you can do,” Harris explained. “If you don’t want to be a lifeguard, there are other things that are related to being a lifeguard, and we also have an EMS aspect to the program.”
Senior Nayquan Woodall said he joined the program because he hopes to become a firefighter.
“It’s a challenge, but I have a good support system,” Woodall said. “It’s a lot of work, but I would definitely become a firefighter.”
Senior Nayquan Woodall wants to be a firefighter.Yuri Bryant, a freshman who is already part of the Police Explorers program — where she enjoys military drill and physical training — is still undecided, but could see herself in law enforcement.
“I have family on the police force,” she said.
Asked what she wants to do, she responded: “Anything that makes my mom proud.”
Currently, about 30 students are enrolled in the high school-level academy, but the district has capacity to serve up to 150 students. District leaders are optimistic about continued growth as interest builds and students from across the city learn more about the program.
"We want to take down the barriers that prevent our students from finding their way to public safety careers," Steele said. "The more information we give students, the better it is for them — and the better it is for our community."
In addition to the High School academy, the Atlantic City Public School District is working to build a strong foundation for younger students through its public safety explorer program for middle school students.
Students in grades six through eight from Uptown Complex, Chelsea Heights, and Texas Avenue schools can participate in the program, which was developed in partnership with the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Each week, students meet with public safety professionals — including police officers, firefighters, beach patrol and EMS personnel — to learn about career paths and gain hands-on experience. Each agency connects with students at least once per month.
“When you have police and firefighters that come from within the community, they have a different sense of responsibility,” Steele said. “This program helps close the information gap that has kept many residents from entering these fields.”
The district also continues to support public safety clubs at the elementary level, which will serve as feeders for the explorer and high school programs.
Atlantic City High School's Public Safety Academy is growing.According to the district’s Public Safety Exploring Program Concept Sheet: “Exploring teaches important life and career skills to young people from all backgrounds through immersive career experiences and mentorship provided by community and business leaders. The program equips young people with character, leadership, and life skills that can be used both today and in their future careers."
With continued support from city agencies and the Board of Education, the Atlantic City High School Public Safety Academy is positioning itself as a vital pipeline to meaningful careers — and a stronger, more connected community.
Students interested in joining the Atlantic City High School Public Safety Academy should contact their guidance counselor.
(Contributed by Mark Tyler, district communications specialist.)
