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  NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 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

123rd Class Completes First Round Of Recruits To Graduate State Police Academy
As Part Of Re-designed Trooper Training Program

 

       W. Long Branch - 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 ceremonies at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, Monmouth County.

       Attorney General Farmer noted that the 31 women and men of the 123rd State Police recruit training class represent the fifth group of 166 trainees to graduate from 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.

       "Congratulations to each member of the 123rd 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 123rd class represent the final group of recruits from the 5,023 candidates who applied to join the ranks of the New Jersey State Police in early 2000. More than 30 percent of the graduates of the 123rd class are minority or female, including three white females, one African-American male and six Hispanic males. Overall, the 166 graduates of the 119th -123rd State Police classes include 120 white males, 10 African-American males, 24 Hispanic males, two Asian males, one American Indian male, seven white females, one African-American female and one Hispanic female - 27.7 percent of the graduates of the past five recruit classes are minority and female.

      "Today, the troopers of the 123rd 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.

       According to Captain David S. Leonardis, Commandant of the State Police Training Academy, 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 123rd 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 which focused on 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 31 graduates of the 123rd 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 123rd State Police Training Class are:


BERGEN COUNTY:

Anthony DiRubba...................................................................East Rutherford
David M. Fritsch.....................................................................Allendale
Joel D. Trella...........................................................................Saddle Brook
Patrick H. Brady......................................................................Ridgewood

CAMDEN COUNTY:

Anthony P. Mangelli...............................................................Haddonfield
Jorge A. Recalde.....................................................................Collingswood
Daniel A. Robertson................................................................Cherry Hill
Frank J. Serratore, IV..............................................................Waterford

CUMBERLAND COUNTY:

David M. DeRose...................................................................Milmay
Raynaldo Morales...................................................................Millville
Nicholas Stavoli......................................................................Vineland

HUDSON COUNTY:

Felix Bermudez.......................................................................Kearny
James-Michael Caprio............................................................Jersey City
Robert Davis...........................................................................Jersey City

MIDDLESEX COUNTY:

Hansylin D. Hernandez..........................................................Dayton
Matthew J. Mancil..................................................................Monroe Township
Jaclyn B. O'Pecko..................................................................North Brunswick

MONMOUTH COUNTY:

Lisa M. Daroff........................................................................Wayside
Richard A. Knight...................................................................Freehold

OCEAN COUNTY:

Kevin J. Kuhn..........................................................................Toms River
Jason M. Piotrowski................................................................Seaside Heights
Glenn W. Sefick.......................................................................Jackson

PASSAIC COUNTY:

Terrance J. Tennant................................................................Clifton
Francisco Valdes.....................................................................Clifton

SUSSEX COUNTY:

Gregory C. Lewis....................................................................Sparta
James R. McCodey..................................................................Branchville

UNION COUNTY:

Jonathan S. Fritz.....................................................................Cranford
Jeovanny Rodriquez................................................................Union
Kevin J. Young........................................................................Union

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