From left: Newly minted Wall Police Officer Gary E. Fuller, winner of the Training Award and coveted Merit Award for his graduating class is pictured with Freeholer Director Barbara J. McMorrow, Wall Police Chief David Morris and
Freeholder Robert D. Clifton. Graduation was May 28.
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Police Academy graduated 21 police officers recently, most of whom have gone on to become full-time patrol officers in their respective communities.
The graduating class trained for 20 weeks and logged in about 780 hours of training in order to complete the 77th Basic Course for Police Officers.
In the graduation address, Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow told the new officers they are now community leaders and role models.
“Today, you have earned the right to serve your communities as police officers,” McMorrow said. “This is a great privilege because there is no higher responsibility than serving our communities.”
“As police officers, your courage and confidence will be tested,” she said. “You will answer the call and place your lives in danger because that is what you are trained to do. I am confident you will pass this test because of the training you received here from the county’s highly qualified instructors.”
Nine of the 21 graduates are participants in the Alternate Route Program. These officers attended the academy at their own expense prior to being hired by a police department.
Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno also praised the new police officers for pursuing a career in public service. “By successfully completing their training, these fine men and women have demonstrated their commitment to law enforcement. I commend them for a job well done and wish them much success as they embark on their law enforcement careers.”
Police Academy Director John G. McCormack said the new officers are trained and ready to begin protecting citizens in the communities they will serve.
“You have chosen a cause as well as a profession,” McCormack said. “Today you become a part of a larger police family. Good policing depends on how well you build a relationship with your community. If you do it right, you will make a difference.”
Award winners are:
Gary E. Fuller Jr., Merit and Training awards; Brian J. Gill, Academic and Traffic Safety awards; Anna Monasterska, Marksmanship Award, and Wesley L. Sanches, Physical Training Award.
* A list of graduates is attached.
Graduates of Monmouth County’s 77th Basic Course for Police Officers and the towns/agency where they will work:
Philip B. Agosta Woodbridge
William R. Bommer Jr. Howell
Craig M. Breiner Asbury Park
Matthew M. Broderick Alternate Route*
Michael J. Carroll Woodbridge
Michael A. Csanyi Woodbridge
Michael W. Donovan III Neptune City
Matthew W. Fix Alternate Route*
Gary E. Fuller Jr. Wall Township
Brian J. Gill Alternate Route*
Ian A. Inverno Woodbridge
John I. Kenney South River
Raymond M. Kwiatkowski Alternate Route*
Michael A. Maccia Alternate Route*
Steven A. Menhart Alternate Route*
Anna M. Monasterska Woodbridge
Joseph T. Oppedisano III Alternate Route*
Michael T. Petyo Woodbridge
Wesley L. Sanches South River
Cory J. Smith Alternate Route*
Alan W. Wiener Alternate Route*
* Alternate Route depicts a graduate who paid his own way through the police training academy prior to being hired by a police department.
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