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spacer NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lt. Al Della Fave, (609) 882-2000 x6514
Sgt. Kevin Rehmann, x6515
Sgt. Gerald Lewis, x6516
Tpr II Stephen Jones, x6513

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 27, 2003


 
 

STATE POLICE RECRUITS GRADUATE TRAINING ACADEMY & RECEIVE ASSIGNMENTS ACROSS STATE

80 New Troopers From The 131st and 132nd New Jersey State Police Recruit Training Class Completes Intensive 21 Week Training Program

    W. Long Branch - Attorney General Peter Harvey and State Police Superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes today presented badges to New Jersey’s newest state troopers during graduation ceremonies at Monmouth University’s Pollack Pavilion.

     Although a schedule change prevented Governor James E. McGreevey from attending the ceremony, he noted that in the post September 11th world, "The State Police serve as New Jersey's frontline of defense, the primary unit responsible for domestic security. Each new trooper faces tremendous challenges and responsibilities to protect the safety of New Jersey's citizens."

     Attorney General Peter Harvey told the new troopers what to expect and what was expected of them. “As Troopers, you will confront many dangers, and you will often be called on to deal with some of society's most difficult individuals. In addition, you will work in a far more diverse, populous and complex society than your predecessors did,” said Attorney General Harvey. “But whatever the mission, I urge you to always remember your commitment as members of the New Jersey State Police -- to balance vigilance with even-handed law enforcement, and to balance pro-active policing measures with respect for the dignity, the rights and the cultures of all citizens.”

     According to Colonel Fuentes, the 42 trooper-recruits of the 131st and 38 trooper-recruits of the 132nd classes embarked on their training more than a year ago with the filing of initial employment applications.

     “Today, the troopers of the 131st and 132nd New Jersey State Police classes have completed a very long journey,” Col. Fuentes said. "It is truly an honor to congratulate each trooper and to wish the newest members of the New Jersey State Police success and Godspeed as they report to their duty assignments. Today’s troopers face a more complex world and have less margin for error. They must think and act independently and possess the self-confidence and focus to perform their job constitutionally and with compassion,” he added.

     According to Capt. Frank Holley, supervisor of the State Police Training Academy, the Training Bureau has undergone significant changes during the past several years. Changes include a new recruit evaluation system designed to compliment the adult-based learning methodology, wireless internet laptop research supported by a newly appointed academy librarian, significantly smaller class size for pre-service training, use of firearms simulation training scenarios and the implementation of an instructor/recruit mentor program. Additionally, each individual lesson plan used during the course of pre-service training was completely reviewed in-house and through various governmental and private educational testing facilities to insure conformity with independent training requirements. Also, the trooper recruits have been fully trained in the use of police computer systems and each will utilize a portable laptop computer from which police-related information can be quickly and accurately obtained and police reports can be entered directly into the revamped State Police data collection systems.

     The 131st and 132nd classes were also challenged in the specific areas of constitutional search and seizure with the implementation of revised State Police guidelines and exhaustive classroom and practical training scenarios involving the legal use of search and seizure procedures. The recruits participated in extensive training and role-playing exercises which focused on responding to and handling domestic violence situations, human dignity and human relations exercises, cultural diversity and sensitivity training and the State Police initiative of community policing and community relations. In the area involving cultural diversity and minority instruction, the trooper recruits received extensive and detailed instruction from experts outside of the State Police, including representatives from ethnic, cultural, community and professional organizations. Such interactive training included extensive lecture, practical exercises and role-playing in cultural diversity and awareness, especially as they relate to the role of police in our society.

     Yet another training initiative that has been successfully integrated into the State Police curriculum is an intensive training course in 'Spanish for Law Enforcement Officers.' This course exposes State Police recruits, and on-duty troopers, to extensive language instruction geared to promote better communicate with Spanish speaking individuals about police-related matters.

     Recognizing the important role that the field-training officer plays in the development of a new state trooper, the Social Science Unit made major revisions to the Trooper/Coach training program. The revised training required to become a Trooper/Coach was upgraded to a five-day course, which includes a comprehensive evaluation of the Trooper/Coach's ability to effectively train new troopers. The most significant change involving the Trooper/Coach program is assigning two trooper coaches to each probationary trooper.

     In commenting on the overall selection process for State Police recruit training classes, Col. Fuentes reported that each applicant applying to the State Police is required to have a minimum of 60 college credits plus two years of work experience or, alternatively, a bachelor's degree.

     Col. Fuentes said that as probationary troopers, the 80 troopers from the two classes will be assigned to stations throughout the state and, over the next 11 weeks, the new troopers will begin their careers under the watchful eye of their newly trained and experienced Trooper/Coaches and supervisors.

The graduates of the 131st State Police recruit training class include:
ABLETT, Jaime T
Galloway Township, Atlantic County
ALBANO, Robert
Saddle Brook, Bergen County
ANESH, Marie A
South Plainfield, Middlesex County
BOND, Robert W
Petersburg, Cape May County
BURGESS, Jr. Walter J
South River, Middlesex County
CARMEAN, Brad
Mays Landing, Atlantic County
CHRISTINZIO, Stephen M
Woodbury Heights, Gloucester County
COMUNALE, Jr. Robert M
Hammonton, Atlantic County
CRANE, Darran J
Wantage, Sussex County
CROUTHAMEL, Vaughn W
Washington Township, Gloucester County
CRUZ, Jr. Angel
Jackson, Ocean County
D’ALESSIO, Nicholas P
Port Reading, Middlesex County
DALIO, Joan M
Sparta, Sussex County
DAVID, Anthony J
Toms River, Ocean County
DICKSON, Keith P
National Park, Gloucester County
ESPINOZA, Thomas
North Arlington, Bergen County
EVICCI, Jr. Paul J
Haledon, Passaic County
FARKAS, Scott A
Galloway Township, Atlantic County
HARRISON, James R
Rutherford, Bergen County
HOFFMAN, James D
Pennsauken, Camden County
KELSHAW, Thomas A
Vernon, Sussex County
KIRK, Kevin M
Tuckerton, Ocean County
LAWLESS, David B
Northfield, Atlantic County
LEOPALDI, Erik A
Toms River, Ocean County
MONDRAGON, Richard
Union, Union County
O’KEEFFE, Daniel M
Frelinghuysen, Warren County
ORMAN, Scott P
Cherry Hill, Camden County
PETITT, Dale L
Southampton, Burlington County
PICA, Andrew J
Hamilton, Mercer County
REITZ, Jeffrey G
Williamstown, Gloucester County
RICEVUTO, Theodore E
Erial, Camden County
SMEDILE, Meredith
Delran, Burlington County
SOWINSKI, Jason S
Bayonne, Hudson County
STEIGER, Troy
Wallington, Bergen County
TANIS, Jeffrey S
Little Falls, Passaic County
TENNANT, Bernard P
Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County
VELEZ, Rebecca
Wayne, Passaic County
WAGNER, Jr. Thomas J
Bradley Beach, Monmouth County
WELLS, Monica L
Pine Hill, Camden County
WESTON, Scott R
Mullica Hill, Gloucester County
WHEELER, Richard
Oaklyn, Camden County
ZAMROK, Brian J
Morristown, Morris County

 

The graduates of the 132nd State Police recruit training class include:
ANICITO, Christopher M
Parlin, Middlesex County
BREITEN, Kenneth A
Hopatcong, Sussex County
BROOME, Jr. Raymond M
Glendora, Camden County
CHAMP, JamieAnne
Manahawkin, Ocean County
CHEWNING, Keith R
Manasquan, Monmouth County
CLARK, Geoffrey L
Glen Gardner, Hunterdon County
CROWLEY, II Edward F
Toms River, Ocean County
DADDONA, III Charles P
Bordentown, Burlington County
DEL SORDO, John R..
Williamstown, Gloucester County
DICKERSON, Joseph D
Williamstown, Gloucester County
DREW, Adam C
Randolph, Morris County
FEDROW, Michael E
Bayonne, Hudson County
FIORELLO, Thomas J
Brick, Ocean County
GUINAN, David M
Toms River, Ocean County
HALAYCIO, Brian K
Trenton, Mercer County
HOFFMAN, Erik J
Toms River, Ocean County
HOPEK, Raub W
Stewartsville, Warren County
KERR, Jr. Douglas A
Brick, Ocean County
KERSTETTER, William J
Monroe, Middlesex County
LEMOINE, Jeff M
Galloway, Atlantic County
LUGO, Daniel
East Windsor, Mercer County
McKINNEY, Sean P
Gloucester City, Gloucester County
NEVILLE, Timothy J
Franklin Park, Somerset County
OWENS, Christine M
Waterford, Camden County
PALMISANO, Michele L
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County
PETERSON, Eric
Cliffside Park, Bergen County
PUSHKAR, David A
Mullica Hill, Gloucester County
RESTUCCIO, Frank B
Hammonton, Atlantic county
RUSSO, Nicholas C
Rahway, Union County
SIMONSON, William P
Forked River, Ocean County
SISSMAN, Oliver J
Princeton, Mercer County
SPAANSTRA, Jr. Lambert J
Morristown, Morris County
STEPIEN, Michael J
Clifton, Passaic County
VICENTE, Jr. Charles C
Northfield, Atlantic County
VILLANTE, David T
Mount Tabor, Morris County
VOGEL, Rachel A
Oakhurst, Monmouth County
WEYMAN, III Harold
Vineland, Cumberland County
WILLIAMS, III Kenneth E
Ocean View, Cape May County

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