FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Monmouth County Police Academy graduated 33 corrections officers recently, all of whom will go on to work in the jails in Monmouth or Ocean counties.
The graduating class trained for nearly 750 hours over the course of 20 weeks in order to complete the 23rd Basic Course for County Corrections Officers. Graduation day was March 15.
In his graduation address, Monmouth County Freeholder Robert D. Clifton praised the young officers and said it takes a special person to be a law enforcement officer.
“The job of law enforcement is increasingly more dangerous, yet these officers go out every day and do their jobs with integrity. We all share in the pride of your achievement. Be careful, God bless you and good luck,” Clifton said.
Police Academy Director John G. McCormack said the new officers are fully trained and ready to begin their jobs, and said he is very proud of this class. As law enforcement officers, he said, they will be held to a higher standard of conduct and are expected to demonstrate an abiding sense of fairness.
“The people you serve expect these things from you,” McCormack said. “You learned a lot – how to adapt and overcome. The pain of training is temporary, the pride is forever.”
Warden William Frasier, who oversees daily operations at the Monmouth County jail, welcomed the new officers and praised the freeholders for their support. In addition to Clifton, Monmouth County freeholders William C. Barham, Lillian G. Burry and Barbara J. McMorrow were present.
“Without freeholder support, we would not be able to do what we do today,” Frasier said.
Award winners are: Justin P. Smith, academic award; Shawn P. Greagori, marksmanship award; Stephen J. Foster, physical fitness award; and Thomas A. Campagnolo, merit award.
The graduates are: Amanda L. Atkinson, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Jeremy J. Auguste, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Timothy M. Browning Sr., Ocean County Department of Corrections, Jason D. Burkowski, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Thomas A. Campagnolo, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Craig M. Canon, Monmouth County Department of Corrections.
And, Greg D. Connor, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Steven Q. DeMarco, Ocean County Department of Corrections, Justin B. Diomede, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Jamie M. Elliott, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Stephen E. Fleischmann, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Stephen J. Foster, Ocean County Department of Corrections, Frank J. Giammarino, Monmouth County Department of Corrections.
Also, Shawn P. Greagori, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Leo S. Hafner Jr., Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Shannon K. Hart, Ocean County Department of Corrections, Joseph D. Kraft, Ocean County Department of Corrections, John C. Lewis, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Gregory T. Lightner Jr., Monmouth County Department of Corrections, David McElwain, Ocean County Department of Corrections, Miguel A. Nieves Jr., Monmouth County Department of Corrections.
And, Matthew R. Noroski, Ocean County Department of Corrections, William E. Pittius Jr., Monmouth County Department of Corrections, James M. Poore, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Norman R. Schack Jr., Monmouth County Department of Corrections, John J. Schultz, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, William A. Smentkowski IV, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, David A. Smith, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Justin P. Smith, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, George E. Theis III, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Anthony J. Valasa, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Helen Finlay-White, Monmouth County Department of Corrections, Brandy L. Zarkovacski, Monmouth County Department of Corrections.