FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Monmouth County Police Academy graduated 38 new police officers recently, many of whom will now go on to serve as full-time patrolmen.
The members of the graduating class, three of whom paid their own way through the academy and do not have promises of employment, trained for nearly 750 hours over the course of 20 weeks in order to complete the 71st Basic Course for Police Officers.
In his graduation address, Monmouth County Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick praised the young officers and said it takes courage, dedication, integrity and good judgment to be a police officer.
“It takes a special person to become a police officer,” Narozanick said. “By doing so, you have accepted the awesome responsibility of protecting our homes and our lives. As police officers, you will make our communities better and safer places to live. I congratulate you.”
Police Academy Director John G. McCormack said the new officers are fully trained and ready to begin protecting citizens in the communities they will serve. As police 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.
Award winners are: Edward A. Travisano, Academic Award; Matthew G. Webb, Marksmanship Award; Eric E. Voorand, Physical Fitness Award; Herbert K. Doctors, Traffic Officers Association Award; and John F. Tacopino Jr., Merit Award and Outstanding Training Award.
The graduates are: Marchelle L. Baldwin, Asbury Park; Joshua W. Bradford, Neptune; James R. Cadigan, Wall; John Camarca, Brookdale Community College; Raheem A. Carter, Ocean Township; Michael K. Casey, Michael R. Deaney, Keansburg; Herbert K. Doctors, Old Bridge; Jesse J. Dykstra, Fair Haven; John E. Fitzsimmons, Hazlet; Jeffrey A. Grupp, Matthew R. Guido, West Long Branch; Curt E. Halas, Old Bridge.
And, Colten P. Hilbert, Brookdale Community College; Matthew E. Jackiewicz, Ocean Township; Joseph C. Jankowski, Keansburg; Jesse J. Kendle, Asbury Park; Jillian M. Koehler, Keansburg; Anthony J. Macri, Highlands; Bartholomew J. Mattaliano, Manalapan; Matthew J. Mattia, Manalapan; Tyron R. McAllister Sr., Asbury Park; Brett J. Paulus, Eatontown; Anthony J. Pecelli, Avon; Janell M. Pyzik, Neptune City; Matthew T. Roth, Jackson; Gregory M. Schmidt, Jackson; Nicholas C. Schulmeister, Old Bridge.
Also, Joseph M. Shafto, Asbury Park; John A. Soranno, Keansburg; John F. Tacopino Jr., Freehold Township; Edward A. Travisano, Jackson; George E. Travostino, Joseph H. Van Pelt Sr., Holmdel; Eric E. Voorand, Manalapan; Matthew G. Webb, Neptune; Daryl W. Whitley, Asbury Park; and Cynthia L. Yost, Asbury Park.