MONMOUTH COUNTY – A total of 90 newly sworn law enforcement officers graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy.
On May 28, nine recruits of the 108th Basic Course for Police Officers, 57 recruits from the 59th Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers and 24 recruits from the 44th Basic Course for County Correctional Police Officers received their Police Training Commission certifications during a ceremony at Brookdale Community College.
“There is no higher responsibility than being a member of law enforcement, which exemplifies commitment to service, sacrifice and unity. These fine men and women have demonstrated that, by persevering and successfully completing intense training which has prepared them to serve and protect our communities, with honor and integrity. I’m proud of their accomplishments and commend all for a job well done,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden, whose agency runs the Monmouth County Police Academy.
Both classes trained for 22 weeks – more than 800 hours – through the Monmouth County Police Academy. The Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers has full police powers while on duty, Golden said.
All recruits train in patrol concepts, defensive driving, professional development, weaponry and unarmed defense, criminal investigation, ethics, emergency medical care and physical training, along with a host of other courses.
The corrections class trained for 14 weeks, during which they engaged in physical training and drill and learned how to properly use firearms, batons, handcuffing techniques and mechanical restraints. Additionally, they were trained in unarmed self-defense and emergency medical response. Classroom instruction included topics on law enforcement and ethics, stress management, contraband and evidence processing, characteristics of inmates and drug interdiction and identification.
“We would like to take a moment to welcome our newest police academy graduates to our Monmouth County law enforcement professionals,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “These officers are choosing public service, knowing that they will have to earn the trust of the residents they will be serving. We fully expect that they are up to this challenge and will serve their communities with honor, pride and distinction.”
“On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, I applaud each Police Academy graduate for choosing a career in law enforcement,” Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “Your decision to protect and serve your communities is truly admirable, and we commend you for it. Monmouth County is proud to have some of the finest law enforcement professionals in the State, and I’m confident these graduates will continue to uphold that enduring legacy.”
The following graduates received awards:
- Marksmanship Award – Alex Staats – SLEO II, Sea Bright PD & Nicholas Salmon – BCCCPO, Ocean County Department of Corrections
- Physical Training Award – Austin Lilley – SLEO II, Sea Girt PD & Natale Iannello – BCCCPO, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office – Corrections Division
- Academic Award – Matthew Hozer – BCPO, Keyport PD & Derric Esporrin,- BCCCPO, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office – Corrections Division
- Traffic Officers Association Award – Alex Staats – SLEO II, Sea Bright PD
- Military Service Achievement Award – Irwin Lopez-Gutierrez – SLEO II, Asbury Park PD
- Outstanding Trainee Award – Alex Staats – SLEO II, Sea Bright PD & Kevin McCarthy – BCCCPO, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office – Corrections Division
- Merit Award – Joseph Rice – SLEO II, Union Beach PD & Terrence Clendenin – BCCCPO, Ocean County Department of Corrections
