STATE POLICE RECRUITS
GRADUATE TRAINING ACADEMY &RECEIVE
ASSIGNMENTS ACROSS STATE
122nd Class Is Most Diverse Group To Graduate
State Police Academy
E. Orange - Acting Governor
Donald T. DiFrancesco, Attorney General John J. Farmer, Jr. and
Colonel Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the New Jersey
State Police, today presented badges to New Jersey's newest state
troopers during graduation and swearing-in ceremonies at the Imani
Baptist Church in East Orange.
"I want today's graduates
to know that I admire the contributions that State Police make to
our state, and that I will do my best to build greater pride and
respect for your efforts," said Acting Governor DiFrancesco, in
addressing the recruit graduates. "Your work as state troopers will
sometimes be rewarding and at other times be frustrating. Like the
work of all law enforcement officers, it will never be easy, but
it will always be needed. The bottom line is clear: I - along with
all the people of our state - appreciate that you are dedicating
yourselves to promoting a better and safer New Jersey."
Attorney General Farmer
noted that the 29 women and men of the 122nd State Police recruit
training class represent the fourth group of 196 trainees to enter
the State Police Academy's 26-week training program since last September
and to undergo instruction as part of an entirely new training concept
known as Action Adult-Based Learning Methodology - a training format
that utilizes advanced facilitation methods, training scenarios,
role-playing exercises and student presentations to accomplish training
objectives. The final class of recruit trainees from the 1999-2000
recruiting effort are set to graduate from the State Police Academy
in Sea Girt later this month.
"Congratulations to each
member of the 122nd class for demonstrating the strength, the intelligence,
the skills and - above all else - the commitment required to complete
the State Police Academy training," Farmer told the graduates. "As
Attorney General, I am counting on that same combination of strength,
skills and dedication to help the New Jersey State Police continue
to evolve as the nation's premiere statewide law enforcement agency."
According to Col. Dunbar, the
graduates of the 122nd class represent the most diverse group of
troopers to join the ranks of the New Jersey State Police to date
- nearly 50 percent of the graduates are minority or female, including
two white females, three African-American males, one African-American
female, seven Hispanic males and one American Indian male.
"Today, the troopers of
the 122nd New Jersey State Police class have completed a very long
journey - a journey that began well over one year ago," Colonel
Dunbar said. "It is truly an honor to congratulate each trooper
and to wish the newest members of the New Jersey State Police success
and God-speed as they report to their duty assignments." "Today's
troopers will face a much more complex world and will 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.
Joining the Acting Governor,
Attorney General Farmer and Col. Dunbar at the East Orange Baptist
Church for the graduation program were Rev. Moses A. Knott, Jr.,
church pastor, members of the East Orange Clergy Association, Captain
David S. Leonardis, Commandant of the State Police Academy and representatives
of New Jersey's statewide law enforcement community.
According to Captain
Leonardis, the Training Bureau has undergone significant changes
during the past year. 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 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 122nd class was 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 scenario's involving the legal
use of search and seizure procedures. The recruits participated
in extensive training and role-playing exercises involving responding
to and handling domestic violence situations, human dignity and
human relations exercises, cultural diversity and awareness 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 groups and organizations
such as the Anti-Defamation League and other ethnic, cultural 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 which details
‘Spanish for Law Enforcement Officers.' This course exposes State
Police recruits, and on-duty troopers, to extensive language instruction
geared to enable them to better communicate with Spanish speaking
individuals about police-related matters and to better assist injured
persons, disabled motorists, and in communicating with Spanish speaking
victims and witnesses.
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 the 119th-123rd recruit training classes,
Col. Dunbar reported that each of the applicants applying to the
State Police during the November - December, 1999 recruiting cycle
were required to have a minimum of 60 college credits plus two years
of work experience or a bachelor degree. During the selection process,
several "firsts" were achieved, including the use of a blind screen
to evaluate applications for minimum qualifications; the implementation
of a new State Police examination; changes to the physical qualification
test to mirror the same examination required of all State Police
enlisted personnel and affording candidates several opportunities
to take the test during a four-week period; revamping the interview
process to include two members from the State Police as well as
a Human Resource Specialist from outside the State Police; an in-depth
review of individuals recommended for disqualification during the
background investigation by a State Police Bureau Chief, a Section
Supervisor, personally by the Superintendent and finally by the
Office of State Police Affairs in the Attorney General's Office.
Dunbar said that as probationary
troopers, the 29 graduates of the 122nd class 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 122ndt State Police Training Class
are:
ATLANTIC COUNTY:
Bill J. Brown...........................................................................Absecon
Shores
Charlee Jo Petzold..................................................................Margate
Orlando Ramos.......................................................................Absecon
Matthew D. Razukas...............................................................Galloway
Township
David C. Robbins...................................................................Absecon
BERGEN COUNTY:
Michael J. Krauchuk...............................................................Harrington
Park
Christian P. Velazquez............................................................Maywood
BURLINGTON COUNTY:
Nelson Deoliveira...................................................................Edgewater
Park
Keith A. Young.......................................................................Bordentown
CAMDEN COUNTY:
Jamie L. Lascik.......................................................................Somerdale
CAPE MAY COUNTY:
Lance C. Moorhouse...............................................................Sea
Isle City
CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Arthur J. Ferrari......................................................................Vineland
Jeremy D. Wilford..................................................................Dividing
Creek
ESSEX COUNTY:
Bernie Lopez...........................................................................Irvington
Rider R. Torres, Jr...................................................................Newark
GLOUCESTER COUNTY:
Brian D. Carswell...................................................................West
Deptford
Sheila A. McKaig...................................................................Williamstown
HUDSON COUNTY:
Freddy A. Araujo....................................................................Union
City
MIDDLESEX COUNTY:
Michael A. Budrewicz............................................................Monroe
Township
James Keith, Jr........................................................................Edison
Jimmy W. Vega.......................................................................East
Brunswick
MONMOUTH COUNTY:
John R. Hall............................................................................Manasquan
Christopher J. Kochman.........................................................Eatontown
Harold J. McDermott..............................................................Freehold
Fernando Torres......................................................................Tinton
Falls
OCEAN COUNTY:
Marc W. Dennis......................................................................Toms
River
Harry D. Rochesky..................................................................Tuckerton
Melvin L. Sanders, III.............................................................Lakewood
UNION COUNTY:
Robert J. Stelzle......................................................................Linden
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