As a child growing up in Lawrence Township, Charles Morreale had always dreamed of becoming a police officer.
That dream came true when Morreale was sworn in as the newest Lawrence Township police officer by Mayor Christopher Bobbitt at the Lawrence Township Council’s Aug. 20 meeting.
Chief of Police Brian Caloiaro introduced Morreale to the Lawrence Township Council, and stated that “it’s always an honor and a privilege” to watch as a new police officer is sworn in to the Lawrence Township Police Department.
Morreale graduated from the Mercer County Police Academy last month. He was chosen for the emergency vehicles operation award from among the 42 cadets that made up the 21st class to graduate from the academy.
The newly-minted police officer was born in Trenton and grew up in Lawrence Township. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 2012 and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Keystone College in Pennsylvania.
Morreale, who is a volunteer firefighter with the Lawrenceville Fire Co., worked as a public safety officer at The Lawrenceville School before he was hired as a Lawrence Township police officer, Chief Caloiaro said.
“We are always happy and proud to have a local (person) come back and join the Police Department,” Chief Caloiaro said, adding that “we are extremely excited to have Charlie” join it.
Morreale said he wants to make the Lawrence Township Police Department proud, and also thanked his family for their support. His parents and sister flanked him as he took the oath of office.
“There is so much to learn,” Morreale said, thanking his field training officer – the police officer who will work with him for the next few months – and the officers in the Police Department.
Becoming a police officer in the town where he grew up has been his ultimate goal, Morreale said, and now he has succeeded.