STATE POLICE RECRUITS
GRADUATE TRAINING ACADEMY &RECEIVE
ASSIGNMENTS ACROSS STATE
123rd Class Completes First Round Of Recruits
To Graduate State Police Academy
As Part Of Re-designed Trooper Training Program
W. Long Branch - 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 ceremonies at Monmouth University
in West Long Branch, Monmouth County.
Attorney General Farmer
noted that the 31 women and men of the 123rd State Police recruit
training class represent the fifth group of 166 trainees to graduate
from 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.
"Congratulations to each
member of the 123rd 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 123rd class represent the final group of recruits
from the 5,023 candidates who applied to join the ranks of the New
Jersey State Police in early 2000. More than 30 percent of the graduates
of the 123rd class are minority or female, including three white
females, one African-American male and six Hispanic males. Overall,
the 166 graduates of the 119th -123rd State Police classes include
120 white males, 10 African-American males, 24 Hispanic males, two
Asian males, one American Indian male, seven white females, one
African-American female and one Hispanic female - 27.7 percent of
the graduates of the past five recruit classes are minority and
female.
"Today, the troopers of the
123rd 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.
According to Captain David
S. Leonardis, Commandant of the State Police Training Academy, 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 123rd 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 which focused on
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 31 graduates of the 123rd 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 123rd State Police Training Class
are:
BERGEN COUNTY:
Anthony DiRubba...................................................................East
Rutherford
David M. Fritsch.....................................................................Allendale
Joel D. Trella...........................................................................Saddle
Brook
Patrick H. Brady......................................................................Ridgewood
CAMDEN COUNTY:
Anthony P. Mangelli...............................................................Haddonfield
Jorge A. Recalde.....................................................................Collingswood
Daniel A. Robertson................................................................Cherry
Hill
Frank J. Serratore, IV..............................................................Waterford
CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
David M. DeRose...................................................................Milmay
Raynaldo Morales...................................................................Millville
Nicholas Stavoli......................................................................Vineland
HUDSON COUNTY:
Felix Bermudez.......................................................................Kearny
James-Michael Caprio............................................................Jersey
City
Robert Davis...........................................................................Jersey
City
MIDDLESEX COUNTY:
Hansylin D. Hernandez..........................................................Dayton
Matthew J. Mancil..................................................................Monroe
Township
Jaclyn B. O'Pecko..................................................................North
Brunswick
MONMOUTH COUNTY:
Lisa M. Daroff........................................................................Wayside
Richard A. Knight...................................................................Freehold
OCEAN COUNTY:
Kevin J. Kuhn..........................................................................Toms
River
Jason M. Piotrowski................................................................Seaside
Heights
Glenn W. Sefick.......................................................................Jackson
PASSAIC COUNTY:
Terrance J. Tennant................................................................Clifton
Francisco Valdes.....................................................................Clifton
SUSSEX COUNTY:
Gregory C. Lewis....................................................................Sparta
James R. McCodey..................................................................Branchville
UNION COUNTY:
Jonathan S. Fritz.....................................................................Cranford
Jeovanny Rodriquez................................................................Union
Kevin J. Young........................................................................Union
# # #
|