The new patrol officers are, from left, David Alexander Barahona, Joseph Thomas Scarano III, Justin Vergara Cagaoan, Michael Henry Cifelli and Kevin John Smith. PHOTO COURTESY OF WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP Five new officers have joined the ranks of the Woodbridge Police Department after completing their statemandated training at the Monmouth County Police Academy.
The officers, who took their oaths of office on May 12, immediately began patrol assignments on the streets of Woodbridge, township spokesman John Hagerty said.
“As a result of our commitment to public safety, combined with the increased assignment of uniformed officers to street patrol, the Woodbridge Police Department continues to maintain police ranks at maximum staffing levels to effectively protect public safety,” Mayor John McCormac said.
The department has 193 officers.
The new patrolmen are all decorated U.S. military veterans, each having served in the combat zones of Iraq or Afghanistan.
The new officers are as follows:
Kevin John Smith, 29, Woodbridge, who graduated from Woodbridge High School in 2003. After high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he served for five years as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant. Previously, Smith was employed as a corrections officer at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center.
Michael Henry Cifelli, 27, Colonia, who graduated from Colonia High School in 2005. He joined the New Jersey National Guard, where he continues service as a field artillery specialist. Cifelli and his unit were deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Cifelli is also a volunteer member of the Colonia Fire Department.
Justin Vergara Cagaoan, 24, Colonia, who graduated from Union Catholic High School in 2008. Cagaoan enlisted in the Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan. Upon discharge from the military, Cagaoan was employed as an emergency medical technician with the Woodbridge and Colonia first aid squads. Joseph Thomas Scarano III, 27, Woodbridge, who graduated from Woodbridge High School in 2006. Scarano enlisted in the Marines and was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
David Alexander Barahona, 25, lselin, who graduated from Elizabeth High School in 2007. Barahona enlisted in the Navy as an operations specialist. Barahona is also a student at Middlesex County College, working toward a degree in criminal justice.