Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley announced that five sheriff’s officers have graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy as members of the 62nd Basic Police Recruit Class. The new sheriff’s officers are Monica Alvarado of Freehold Township, Karla Barney of Red Bank, Joel Fischer of Parlin, Sean McNeff of Long Branch and Matthew Oden of North Middletown.
Fischer earned special honors for the sheriff’s office by winning the Merit Award. Each recruit class selects one member who exemplifies the highest standards of dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence. Fischer is a graduate of Manalapan High School and currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserve as a sergeant.
Alvarado was previously employed by the Freehold Borough Police Department as a bilingual records clerk. She graduated from Juan Ponce De Leon High School in Puerto Rico.
The class of 32 graduates successfully completed 750 hours of training at the Freehold academy in such fields as criminal law, criminal investigation, motor vehicle law, accident investigation, firearms, defense tactics, officer safety and first aid. In addition to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the new graduates will serve in Aberdeen, Asbury Park, Deal, Hazlet, Freehold, Holmdel, Middletown, Neptune, Ocean, Union Beach, Rumson and Brookdale Community College.