For Immediate Release:
December 8, 2011
Monmouth County Police Academy graduates 25
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Police Academy graduated 25 special police officers on Dec. 8, in time to help strengthen local law enforcement efforts during the holiday season.
The graduating class completed 610 hours of training this fall to become the 37th Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers.
In the graduation address, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said police officers are a special kind of public servant and praised them for their courage, dedication and integrity.
“All of you will be tested in a way most people do not understand,” Burry told the graduating class. “You will answer the call and place your lives on the line because that is what you are trained to do.
I am confident you will pass that test because of the training you received from our highly qualified instructors. As police officers you will make our communities better and safer places to live.”
Burry also reminded the new officers that even though they are in law enforcement, enforcing the law is only part of the job. She said they should expect to spend much of their time responding to medical calls and administering emergency medical services and attending to accident victims.
“The rest of the job is being good role models, friends and neighbors in the communities where you serve,” she said.
Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley thanked the new police officers for their service and told them they will always have the support of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Aaron F. Lay, one of two Merit Award winners and the class spokesman, said recruits were pushed to the point of failure each day, only to be pushed even farther the next day. “When we return to these halls and see our plaque, we will remember the strengths and weaknesses we overcame. Let’s not forget the dangers we face and the values we were taught.”
Award winners for this class are: Aaron F. Lay, Academic Award; Benjamin J. Springer, Marksmanship Award; Edward Junquet, Physical Training Award; Sean Duggan, Traffic Officers Association Award; Benjamin J. Spring, Outstanding Trainee Award; and Sean Duggan and Aaron F. Lay, who were each awarded the Merit Award by their fellow classmates..
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun E. Golden praised the new officers for pursuing a career in public service. “Through dedication and hard work you all have successfully completed training and attained certification as law enforcement officers. I commend you for a job well done and wish you much success as you embark on a career in law enforcement.”
Police Academy Director David I. Morris said the new officers are trained and ready to begin protecting citizens in the communities they will serve. As special 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,” Morris said.
Burry also commended Morris, as he nears completion of his first year as director, for making the Police Academy a place where seasoned police officers can gain additional training, and for his long-term goal of turning the Academy into a regional training facility for use by towns in nearby counties.
“You are on the right track and you and your staff are to be commended,” she said, noting that the idea has the support of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
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* Graduates of Monmouth County’s 35th Basic Course for Class II Special Police Officers and the towns/agency where they will work:
James. M. Albanese, Manasquan Police Department
Nicholas W. Austin, Manasquan Police Department
David J. Bowen, Spring Lake Police Department
Ryan Bradely, Belmar Police Department
Matthew T. Brown, Belmar Police Department
Ryan M. Buck, West Long Branch Police Department
Christopher J. Devlin, Belmar Police Department
Sean Duggan, Spring Lake Police Department
David C. Ebert II, Long Branch Police Department
Sean Hauschildt, Long Branch Police Department
Dalton Jacob, Belmar Police Department
Edward Junquet, Monmouth Beach Police Department
William E. Kelly, Spring Lake Police Department
Aaron F. Lay, Belmar Police Department
Christopher Makwinski, Belmar Police Department
John Mania, Long Branch Police Department
Brian O’Keefe, Long Branch Police Department
Brian Oliveira, Long Branch Police Department
Felicia N. Pappalardo, Manasquan Police Department
Michael A. Rzigalinski, Belmar Police Department
Daniel Schlisserman, Belmar Police Department
Benjamin J. Springer, Long Branch Police Department
Anthony D. Steneck, Belmar Police Department
Michael Thompson, Jr., Belmar Police Department
James Tiggs III, Long Branch Police Department
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