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OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Public Information Office (609)882-2000:
Capt. Al Della Fave  ext. 6514
A/Lt. Kevin Rehmann  ext. 6515
Tpr. Stephen Jones  ext. 6513

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 24, 2004


 
 
STATE POLICE RECRUITS GRADUATE ACADEMY & SHOW OFF THEIR SKILLS

95 New Troopers from the 135th and 136th New Jersey State Police Recruit Training Class Complete Intensive 26 Week Training Program

Sea Girt, N.J. - Two new State Troopers slugged it out today at their graduation in front of family, friends and the Governor. This was not a case of poor anger management, but rather a display of the boxing and self-defense instruction given to every recruit in the 135th and 136th State Police Training Class. Other demonstrations featured riot control tactics, arrest techniques and military drill.

Governor James E. McGreevey, Attorney General Peter Harvey and State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes presented badges to New Jersey's newest state troopers during today's outdoor graduation ceremonies at the academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey. After the 26-week training session, the 95 troopers were welcomed by family and friends in an event in which Governor McGreevey outlined the critical importance of their jobs.

"Our world has changed in unimaginable ways. The events of September 11 now define the world in which we live and work," said Governor McGreevey. "In New Jersey, the men and women of the State Police are adapting to this changing world - and doing it in a manner that serves as an example to other law enforcement agencies."

"As Troopers, you will confront many dangers, and you will often be called on to deal with some of society's most difficult individuals. In addition, you will work in a far more diverse, populous and complex society than your predecessors did," said Attorney General Peter Harvey. "But whatever the mission, I urge you to always remember your commitment as members of the New Jersey State Police -- to balance vigilance with even-handed law enforcement, and to balance pro-active policing measures with respect for the dignity, the rights and the cultures of all citizens."

According to Colonel Fuentes, the new troopers embarked on their training more than a year ago with the filing of initial employment applications.

"The troopers of the 135th and 136th New Jersey State Police classes have completed a very long process that's only the beginning of a very exciting career," Fuentes said. "Today's troopers are on the front lines of homeland security. They have opportunities to specialize in more than 100 facets of police work from cutting edge crime scene investigations to tracking down child predators on the internet. Facing a complex array of threats to public safety, they must think and act independently and possess the self-confidence to perform their job constitutionally and with compassion," he added.

The Training Bureau has undergone significant changes during the past several years. 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, 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 in-house and through various governmental and private educational testing facilities 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 135th and 136th classes were 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 scenarios 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 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 ethnic, cultural, community 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 in 'Spanish for Law Enforcement Officers.' This course exposes State Police recruits, and on-duty troopers, to extensive language instruction geared to promote better communicate with Spanish speaking individuals about police-related matters.

In commenting on the overall selection process for State Police recruit training classes, Col. Fuentes reported that each applicant applying to the State Police is required to have a minimum of 60 college credits plus two years of work experience or, alternatively, a bachelor's degree.

Col. Fuentes said that as probationary troopers, the 95 troopers from the two classes will be assigned to stations throughout the state and, over the next 11 weeks, they will begin their careers under the watchful eye of their experienced trooper/coaches and supervisors.

The 137th and 138th State Police Training Classes are currently in the middle of their academy stay. They are scheduled to graduate in December. That brings to almost 200 the total number of troopers to graduate this year.

Distinguished Service Medals
The graduation gathering served another important function for the State Police. The Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to two troopers who displayed heroism in the face of grave danger. Troopers Mark Moyna and Richard Wambold received the award for their actions in facing a heavily armed man in Warren County in May of 2003. Following reports of gunfire, the troopers stopped Justin McCarthy and another man who were carrying a Thompson sub-machine gun in the back seat of their car. As he exited the car, McCarthy pulled a .45 caliber handgun from a hidden shoulder holster and struggled with Moyna, Wambold and Patrolman Jon Schramm of the Washington Township Police Department who had come to assist the troopers. McCarthy fired the gun, critically wounding Schramm and the troopers returned fire, fatally wounding McCarthy.

The Distinguished Service Medal has only been awarded one other time in the past decade and only 35 times since the State Police was formed in 1921.

Also recognized for their part in this tragic incident were Troopers Brent Warne and Michael Tutko. Along with Patrolman John Kaufmann, Tpr. Warne performed lifesaving CPR on Schramm until paramedics arrived.

The graduates of the 135th and 136th State Police Training Classes, including their town and county, are found below:

135th NAMES, ADDRESSES and COUNTIES
NAME
CITY/TOWN
COUNTY
ACHEY, Michael J. MAYS LANDING ATLANTIC
ALAM, Richard FAIRVIEW BERGEN
BOBBITT, Bruce L. PILESGROVE SALEM
BOTTI, Jason M. EDISON MIDDLESEX
CAMILLERI, David A. HAMILTON MERCER
CARNEY, Christopher T. ABERDEEN MONMOUTH
CERAK, Paul F. LUMBERTON BURLINGTON
CHIARAMONTE, Paul L. ELMWOOD PARK BERGEN
CUCCHIARA, Nicholas L. OLD BRIDGE MIDDLESEX
DARE, Jason D. GALLOWAY ATLANTIC
EICHINGER, Stephen J. SPARTA SUSSEX
FREITES, Luis V. VINELAND CUMBERLAND
GIBSON, Michael P. BLACKWOOD CAMDEN
GREEN, David M. HAMILTON MERCER
HIDER, Daniel W. BRIDGETON CUMBERLAND
HORATH, Anthony M. BRICK OCEAN
JACOME, Henry F. OLD BRIDGE MIDDLESEX
JANCEWICZ, Kristin J. HAMILTON MERCER
JORGENSEN, Jason J. PLAINFIELD UNION
KEARNS, Brian P. RINGWOOD PASSAIC
KULPINSKI, Thomas J. EATONTOWN MONMOUTH
LA CONTE, Daria A. NEWARK ESSEX
LEGG, William D. GARWOOD UNION
LEWIS, Allan LAKEWOOD OCEAN
MCINERNEY, Dennis P. MANAHAWKIN OCEAN
MERLOCK, Andrew J. DOROTHY ATLANTIC
MICEWICZ, Jeremy BAYONNE HUDSON
MOSKWA, Jason J. AVENEL MIDDLESEX
MOSTELLER, Peter G. CINNAMINSON BURLINGTON
MUSCLE, David C. PRINCETON SOMERSET
NABINGER, Nathan J. LUMBERTON BURLINGTON
PAILLAMAN, Robert Peter UNION UNION
PASSARELLA, Robert V. OAKLYN CAMDEN
PAVELCHAK, Robert H. BUDD LAKE MORRIS
PEEKE, Matthew A. HAMMONTON ATLANTIC
POSKAY, Michael TOMS RIVER OCEAN
PRZYDZIAL, Sebastian J. LINDEN UNION
RAVELLE, Salvatore J. PARLIN MIDDLESEX
SCALABRINI, John J. POINT PLEASANT OCEAN
SCHLATTER, David S. HOBOKEN HUDSON
SCOTT, Brooks E. HAMILTON MERCER
SQUITIERI, Patrick A. N. ARLINGTON BERGEN
STAZO, Adam J. S. BOUND BROOK SOMERSET
TABARANZA, Victor A. DOVER MORRIS
TIETJEN, Joseph J. FORKED RIVER OCEAN
ULERIO, Hamilton WEST ORANGE ESSEX
VILLA, Enrique KEARNEY HUDSON
WALTHER, Edward J. EDISON MIDDLESEX
WETZEL, Randall P. HAMMONTON ATLANTIC
ZOPPINA, Anthony M. SWEDESBORO GLOUCESTER


136th NAMES, ADDRESSES and COUNTIES
NAME
CITY/TOWN
COUNTY
AGENS, Michael W. Blairstown Warren
BLACKBURN, David C. Westville Gloucester
BOESCH, Thomas H. Point Pleasant Ocean
BRACCIOFORTE, Michael A. Parsippany Morris
BYRA, Joseph N. Highland Lakes Sussex
CAMPBELL, Philip L. Ewing Mercer
CASTELLANO, Marc K. Howell Monmouth
CISKO, William F. Morganville Monmouth
COSTANZO, Robert J. Hamilton Mercer
DADD, Kenneth A. Toms River Ocean
EDDIS, Timothy J. Voorhees Camden
FLYNN, Jeffrey M. Clinton Hunterton
GARLAND, Wesley C. Matawan Monmouth
GRYP, Michael J. Bayville Ocean
HODGINS, Steven J. Wall Monmouth
HOWE, Joseph J. Clementon Camden
JASTRZAB, Wojciech Clifton Passaic
KELLY, Kevin M. West Keansburg Monmouth
KLOMAN, Alex M. Edison Middlesex
KUHN, Steven Pompton Lakes Passaic
KUZIEMSKI, Michael F. South Amboy Middlesex
LAHEY, Douglas E. Red Bank Monmouth
LEONARDI, Michael John Morristown Morris
MASI II, Paul Southhampton Burlington
McCORMICK, Keith R. Parsippany Morris
MENZONI, Andrew P. Vineland Cumberland
MEYERS, Timothy D. Wallington Bergen
MOWATT, Kesene D. Irvington Essex
OLIVERA, Daniel M. Kearny Hudson
PASQUINO, Robert Mahwah Bergen
PAYMAN, Jason Belleville Essex
POLHEMUS, Adam Edward Toms River Ocean
PRASCHIL, Timothy L. Sussex Sussex
QUINN, Dennis A. Mt. Laurel Burlington
RAYHON, Kenneth J. Sayreville Middlesex
RIZZO, Joseph C. Manalapan Monmouth
SCHAFFTER, Robert J. Monroe Township Middlesex
STANKER, Brian M. Vineland Cumberland
SUROWIEC, John Sparta Sussex
VALENTE, David H. Newark Essex
VILLALTA-MORAN, Joseph A. Nutley Essex
WARD, Michael L. Mt. Royal Gloucester
WAUGH, Bradley C. East Hanover Morris
WHITE, William C. Wharton Warren
WYNN, Patric K. Hackettstown Warren

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