HOME | NEWS & EVENTS | PUBLIC INFORMATION  
graphic News and Events graphic
  NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John R. Hagerty, State Police Public Information Office
(609) 882-2000 x6515

Sgt. Al Della Fave
(609) 882-2000 x6514

STATE POLICE RECRUITS GRADUATE TRAINING ACADEMY &RECEIVE ASSIGNMENTS ACROSS STATE

122nd Class Is Most Diverse Group To Graduate State Police Academy

 

       E. Orange - Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco, Attorney General John J. Farmer, Jr. and Colonel Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, today presented badges to New Jersey's newest state troopers during graduation and swearing-in ceremonies at the Imani Baptist Church in East Orange.

       "I want today's graduates to know that I admire the contributions that State Police make to our state, and that I will do my best to build greater pride and respect for your efforts," said Acting Governor DiFrancesco, in addressing the recruit graduates. "Your work as state troopers will sometimes be rewarding and at other times be frustrating. Like the work of all law enforcement officers, it will never be easy, but it will always be needed. The bottom line is clear: I - along with all the people of our state - appreciate that you are dedicating yourselves to promoting a better and safer New Jersey."

       Attorney General Farmer noted that the 29 women and men of the 122nd State Police recruit training class represent the fourth group of 196 trainees to enter the State Police Academy's 26-week training program since last September and to undergo instruction as part of an entirely new training concept known as Action Adult-Based Learning Methodology - a training format that utilizes advanced facilitation methods, training scenarios, role-playing exercises and student presentations to accomplish training objectives. The final class of recruit trainees from the 1999-2000 recruiting effort are set to graduate from the State Police Academy in Sea Girt later this month.

       "Congratulations to each member of the 122nd class for demonstrating the strength, the intelligence, the skills and - above all else - the commitment required to complete the State Police Academy training," Farmer told the graduates. "As Attorney General, I am counting on that same combination of strength, skills and dedication to help the New Jersey State Police continue to evolve as the nation's premiere statewide law enforcement agency."

      According to Col. Dunbar, the graduates of the 122nd class represent the most diverse group of troopers to join the ranks of the New Jersey State Police to date - nearly 50 percent of the graduates are minority or female, including two white females, three African-American males, one African-American female, seven Hispanic males and one American Indian male.

       "Today, the troopers of the 122nd New Jersey State Police class have completed a very long journey - a journey that began well over one year ago," Colonel Dunbar said. "It is truly an honor to congratulate each trooper and to wish the newest members of the New Jersey State Police success and God-speed as they report to their duty assignments." "Today's troopers will face a much more complex world and will have less margin for error. They must think and act independently and possess the self-confidence and focus to perform their job constitutionally and with compassion," he added.

       Joining the Acting Governor, Attorney General Farmer and Col. Dunbar at the East Orange Baptist Church for the graduation program were Rev. Moses A. Knott, Jr., church pastor, members of the East Orange Clergy Association, Captain David S. Leonardis, Commandant of the State Police Academy and representatives of New Jersey's statewide law enforcement community.

       According to Captain Leonardis, the Training Bureau has undergone significant changes during the past year. Changes include a new recruit evaluation system designed to compliment the adult-based learning methodology, wireless internet laptop research supported by a newly appointed academy librarian, significantly smaller class size for pre-service training, use of firearms simulation training scenarios and the implementation of an instructor/recruit mentor program. Additionally, each individual lesson plan used during the course of pre-service training was completely reviewed to insure conformity with independent training requirements. Also, the trooper recruits have been fully trained in the use of police computer systems and each will utilize a portable laptop computer from which police-related information can be quickly and accurately obtained and police reports can be entered directly into the revamped State Police data collection systems.

       The 122nd class was also challenged in the specific areas of constitutional search and seizure with the implementation of revised State Police guidelines and exhaustive classroom and practical training scenario's involving the legal use of search and seizure procedures. The recruits participated in extensive training and role-playing exercises involving responding to and handling domestic violence situations, human dignity and human relations exercises, cultural diversity and awareness and sensitivity training and the State Police initiative of community policing and community relations. In the area involving cultural diversity and minority instruction, the trooper recruits received extensive and detailed instruction from experts outside of the State Police, including representatives from groups and organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and other ethnic, cultural and professional organizations. Such interactive training included extensive lecture, practical exercises and role playing in cultural diversity and awareness especially as they relate to the role of police in our society.

       Yet another training initiative that has been successfully integrated into the State Police curriculum is an intensive training course which details ‘Spanish for Law Enforcement Officers.' This course exposes State Police recruits, and on-duty troopers, to extensive language instruction geared to enable them to better communicate with Spanish speaking individuals about police-related matters and to better assist injured persons, disabled motorists, and in communicating with Spanish speaking victims and witnesses.

      Recognizing the important role that the field-training officer plays in the development of a new state trooper, the Social Science Unit made major revisions to the Trooper/Coach training program. The revised training required to become a Trooper/Coach was upgraded to a five-day course, which includes a comprehensive evaluation of the Trooper/Coach's ability to effectively train new troopers. The most significant change involving the Trooper/Coach program is assigning two trooper coaches to each probationary trooper.

       In commenting on the overall selection process for the 119th-123rd recruit training classes, Col. Dunbar reported that each of the applicants applying to the State Police during the November - December, 1999 recruiting cycle were required to have a minimum of 60 college credits plus two years of work experience or a bachelor degree. During the selection process, several "firsts" were achieved, including the use of a blind screen to evaluate applications for minimum qualifications; the implementation of a new State Police examination; changes to the physical qualification test to mirror the same examination required of all State Police enlisted personnel and affording candidates several opportunities to take the test during a four-week period; revamping the interview process to include two members from the State Police as well as a Human Resource Specialist from outside the State Police; an in-depth review of individuals recommended for disqualification during the background investigation by a State Police Bureau Chief, a Section Supervisor, personally by the Superintendent and finally by the Office of State Police Affairs in the Attorney General's Office.

       Dunbar said that as probationary troopers, the 29 graduates of the 122nd class will be assigned to stations throughout the state and, over the next 11 weeks, the new troopers will begin their careers under the watchful eye of their newly trained and experienced Trooper/Coaches and supervisors.

The graduates of the 122ndt State Police Training Class are:

ATLANTIC COUNTY:

Bill J. Brown...........................................................................Absecon Shores
Charlee Jo Petzold..................................................................Margate
Orlando Ramos.......................................................................Absecon
Matthew D. Razukas...............................................................Galloway Township
David C. Robbins...................................................................Absecon


BERGEN COUNTY:

Michael J. Krauchuk...............................................................Harrington Park
Christian P. Velazquez............................................................Maywood

 

BURLINGTON COUNTY:

Nelson Deoliveira...................................................................Edgewater Park
Keith A. Young.......................................................................Bordentown

CAMDEN COUNTY:

Jamie L. Lascik.......................................................................Somerdale

CAPE MAY COUNTY:

Lance C. Moorhouse...............................................................Sea Isle City

CUMBERLAND COUNTY:

Arthur J. Ferrari......................................................................Vineland
Jeremy D. Wilford..................................................................Dividing Creek

ESSEX COUNTY:

Bernie Lopez...........................................................................Irvington
Rider R. Torres, Jr...................................................................Newark

GLOUCESTER COUNTY:

Brian D. Carswell...................................................................West Deptford
Sheila A. McKaig...................................................................Williamstown


HUDSON COUNTY:

Freddy A. Araujo....................................................................Union City

 

MIDDLESEX COUNTY:

Michael A. Budrewicz............................................................Monroe Township
James Keith, Jr........................................................................Edison
Jimmy W. Vega.......................................................................East Brunswick

 

MONMOUTH COUNTY:

John R. Hall............................................................................Manasquan
Christopher J. Kochman.........................................................Eatontown
Harold J. McDermott..............................................................Freehold
Fernando Torres......................................................................Tinton Falls


OCEAN COUNTY:

Marc W. Dennis......................................................................Toms River
Harry D. Rochesky..................................................................Tuckerton
Melvin L. Sanders, III.............................................................Lakewood


UNION COUNTY:

Robert J. Stelzle......................................................................Linden

# # #

 
      
Recruiting
Compliments & Complaints
News & Events
About Us