MANCHESTER – Manchester Police recently received two new officers following retirements within the department.
Patrolman Jason Tarabokija and Special Law Enforcement Officer II Robert Campolei were sworn in by Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer at the Municipal Complex Civic Center on Sept. 10, while surrounded by family and fellow officers.
Tarabokija, 30, hails from Point Pleasant. He has a connection to Manchester Township, having worked for the past seven years as a teacher with the Manchester Township School District. Ptl. Tarabokija graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Education in 2011. He is also a certified ocean lifeguard.
Campolei, 32, hails from Lacey Township. He graduated from Ocean County College and Lincoln Technical Institute of Technology with a degree in Master Certified Automotive Technologies. He was formerly a SLEO I with the Seaside Heights Police Department. After graduating from the Ocean County Police Academy, he worked as a SLEO II for Seaside Heights and later Lacey Township.
Tarabokija and Campolei were selected out of an initial 170 applicants. They were two of 92 applicants who passed the Physical Agility Examination held at Manchester Township High School. They then went on to complete Written Examination phase, and later, the Oral Board for extensive interviews.
Final applicants underwent a background check and medical, psychological, and drug screenings.
“Our rigorous and demanding hiring process ensures that only the best recruits are invited to join the ranks of the Manchester Township Police Department,” said Chief Parker. “Ptl. Tarabokija and Special Officer Campolei have proven that they are upstanding and driven individuals who possess the strong character required to succeed as a law enforcement officer.”
Ptl. Tarabokija begins basic training at the Ocean County Police Academy this week. Officer Campolei will take part in the department’s intensive 12-week Field Training and Evaluation Program.
