Police director named to state training panel

Bruce Cocuzza will remain in charge of the Lambertville Police Department, but will serve on the New Jersey Police Training Commission.

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — Police Director Bruce Cocuzza has been appointed to serve on the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
   The commission develops and certifies training courses for numerous law enforcement positions throughout the state, including local and county police, sheriff’s officers and state and county investigators.
   While retaining his post as police director in the city, Mr. Cocuzza will serve as a representative of the New Jersey League of Municipalities at the request of Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio. His duties include service on a committee that oversees training standards.
   "Training is a fundamental requirement and a major part of what police need to do, especially today," Mr. Cocuzza said. "It’s imperative that they are fully trained and qualified to do their jobs properly."
   Training requirements for certain issues, such as domestic violence, are always evolving and can be complex. Officers must be up-to-date on the law, procedures and "proper service to victims," Mr. Cocuzza said.
   He said, "You have to really obtain quite an extensive knowledge in a multitude of areas."
   Other training areas include the proper use of force, police pursuits, the legal process and social issues.
   Retired as a captain from the New York City Police Department, Mr. Cocuzza later became a U.S. marshal, serving in Trenton. He has been the city’s police director for eight years.
   "I’m very honored to take this position," Mr. Cocuzza said. "It’s a nice acknowledgement of my abilities."
   Mayor Del Vecchio, who represented the league on the commission before recommending Mr. Cocuzza to take his place, agreed.
   "It’s important for the people at the PTC to understand that police directors are people with positive experience," Mayor Del Vecchio said. "It’s important to see, firsthand through Bruce, that police directors are a positive thing, and they bring their experience to the police director’s position. I think someone with Bruce’s knowledge of police work and the rules and regulations would be a tremendous asset not only to the people of Lambertville, but the residents of New Jersey."
   Mr. Cocuzza will serve alongside a representative from the FBI and designees of the state attorney general, the superintendent of the state police and the commissioner of the state Department of Corrections.
   Also serving on the PTC are two citizens appointed by the governor as well as representatives from the state Association of Chiefs of Police, the state Fraternal Order of Police, the state Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, the Sheriffs Association of New Jersey, the Police Academy Directors Association, the New Jersey County Jail Wardens Association and the New Jersey Juvenile Detention Association.