EWING
– The
New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
(JJC) held a Law Enforcement Appreciation
ceremony today at the College of New Jersey.
Attending the ceremony on behalf of Attorney
General Peter C. Harvey, First Assistant
Attorney General Mariellen Dugan and Attorney
General’s Chief of Staff Markus
Green joined JJC Executive Director Howard
L. Beyer in recognizing
33 correction officers, parole officers
and investigators who earned promotions
or special awards.
Officers who have recently returned from
service in the various branches of the
United States armed forces, as well as
JJC retirees, were also honored.
First Assistant Attorney General Dugan
issued the Oath of Office to JJC officers
receiving promotions. Chief of Staff Green
provided remarks, noting that, ”It
takes a special person to accept the responsibilities
that come with the titles of juvenile
correction officer, parole officer and
investigator. It means you are charged
with the responsibility to not only protect
public safety, but to provide the proper
environment in which to rehabilitate our
state’s troubled youth.”
Seven officers were recognized as Officer
of the Year from their individual facilities
or areas of assignment. Promotions were
awarded to 10 officers. The JJC also recognized
employees who have recently returned from
service in the various branches of the
United States armed forces, and presented
special shields to 19 officers who recently
retired from JJC service.
New Jersey State Police Capt. Wendy Galloway
and Mercer County Sheriff Kevin Larkin
presented special commendation awards.
Capt. Galloway presented awards to six
officers who participated in the Essex
County Anti-Crime Partnership in Irvington.
Sheriff Larkin presented awards to six
officers who participated in the Mercer
County Fugitive Task Force.
“The
Juvenile Justice Commission is proud of
its highly trained law enforcement staff,”
said Executive Director Beyer. "The
promotions and awards presented are a
tribute to the dedication and commitment
these men and women exercise every day
to make a difference in the lives of youth.
The JJC is committed to realizing the
potential of the young people in its care,
and thereby helping them change the direction
of their futures. Our dedicated and experienced
law enforcement officers play a critical
role in fulfilling this mission."
The JJC is the single state agency responsible
for providing juvenile correctional rehabilitation
and parole services. The JJC cares for
New Jersey’s high risk and increasingly
vulnerable youth. The agency has a unique
and pivotal opportunity to redirect the
lives of youth in its custody. The JJC
operates 6 secure care facilities and
22 residential community homes and day
treatment facilities. In addition, the
JJC is responsible for parole and transitional
services for youth when they return home
from the JJC’s custody. The JJC
employs more than 500 law enforcement
staff who oversee these functions. The
JJC employs approximately 1,800 staff
including 466 Corrections Officers, 43
Parole Officers and 12 Investigators.
The Juvenile Justice Commission is responsible
for more than 2,000 youth, comprised of
approximately 1,000 committed youth, 300
probationers, and 800 juvenile parolees.
JJC residents range in age from 12 to
23. The typical resident is 17 years old
at the time of admission. More than 90
percent are male.
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The
following officers earned promotions:
- Senior
Correction Officer Trent Carr
promoted to Correction Sergeant (Williamstown)
- Senior
Correction Officer Thomas Healey
promoted to Correction Sergeant (Easthampton)
- Senior
Correction Officer Thomas Savonarola
promoted to Correction Sergeant (Linden)
- Senior
Correction Officer Payton Thurman
promoted to Correction Sergeant (Lumberton)
- Correction
Sergeant Benjamin Rhinehart
promoted to Correction Lieutenant (Blackwood)
- Senior
Correction Officer Daniel Sullivan
promoted to Investigator (Manalapan)
- Investigator
Jeffrey Flora promoted
to Senior Investigator (Eastampton)
- Investigator
Cutis Strother promoted
to Senior Investigator (Columbus)
- Investigator
Robert Tursi promoted
to Senior Investigator (Williamstown)
The
following officers are recognized as Officer
of the Year from their individual facilities
or assignment:
- Parole
Officer Victor Daly,
Office of Juvenile Parole and Transitional
Services (Franklin Park)
- Senior
Investigator Jeffrey Flora,
Office of Investigations (Eastampton)
- Senior
Correction Officer George Goines,
Life Skills and Leadership Academy (Whiting)
- Senior
Correction Oofficer Arthur Jackson,
Juvenile Reception and Assessment Center
(Browns Mills)
- Senior
Correction Officer Jonathan
Jester, Juvenile Medium Security
Facility (Ewing Township)
- Senior
Correction Officer Gary Quatrano,
New Jersey Training School (Ocean Grove)
- Senior
Correction Officer Mark Roberts,
Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake
Facility (Trenton)
The
following officers commendation for participation
on the Essex County Anti-Crime Partnership
in Irvington, NJ :
- Lt.
Edwin Torres (Cinnaminson)
- Senior
Investigator Michael Griffin
(Bordentown)
- Senior
Correction Officer John Moore
(Brick)
- Senior
Correction Officer Eric Hahn
(Toms River)
- Investigator
Robert Tursi (Williamstown)
- Senior
Correction Officer Nichelle
Crews (Newark)
The
following investigators received commendations
for participating with the Mercer County
Fugitive Task Force:
- Senior
Investigator Jeffrey Flora
(Eastampton)
- Senrior
Investigator Cindy Badger (Egg
Harbor Township)
- Senior
Investigator Diane Cameron
(Southampton)
- Senior
Investigator Eric Cloud
(Brick)
- Senior
Investigator Michael Griffin
(Bordentown)
- Senior
Investigator Kenneth Amann
(Jackson)