FREEHOLD – Parents and leaders in law enforcement recently celebrated the graduation of 12 high school students from the Monmouth County Vocational School District’s Academy of Law and Public Safety, who are now Special Law Enforcement Officers, or SLEOs. Many of them have already been hired by local police departments, as they are most in demand during the summer season.
The graduates completed 54 hours of training through classroom study and hands-on exercises in topics such as police rules and regulations, morals and ethics, cultural diversity, autism awareness, disorderly persons offenses, motor vehicle traffic laws, disputes and domestic violence, arrests and use of force, crowd control, handcuffing, baton techniques, whistles and hand signals. The class ran from June 5 to 15.
“These dedicated young men and women are our future leaders in law enforcement,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden, who spoke at the graduation. “Having a SLEO class as part of the curriculum, is a great privilege and the finest way for students to embark on careers as public safety professionals.”
The 34th Basic Course for Class I Special Law Enforcement Officers is a newly formed program, a partnership between the Monmouth County Police Academy and the Academy of Law and Public Safety. To quality, high school seniors must be at least 18 years of age, go through an interview process, apply for jobs at local police departments and take complex law enforcement classes.
Graduating Class of Special Law Enforcement Officers:
Gerald Cullen: Middletown (Hired by Avon-by -the Sea PD)
Jackie Huynh: Keansburg
Christine Kozak: Keansburg
Natalie Mirenda: Middletown (Hired by Middletown PD)
Alize Rodriquez: Long Branch (Hired by Bradley Beach PD)
Kristen Sarno: Hazlet (Hired by Deal PD)
Joseph Strohmenger: Howell (Hired by Bradley Beach PD)
Isabella Trumper: Hazlet (Hired by Avon-by-the-Sea PD)
Jackie Tumipamba: Middletown (Middletown PD)
Michael Trapani: Aberdeen
Dylan Voll: Wall (Hired by Avon-by-the-Sea PD)
Marc Zgola: Keansburg
“This was a tremendous accomplishment for the students. I commend them for a job well done and thank Sheriff Golden, Police Academy Director Darryl Breckenridge and Administrative Training Officer John Fay for their determination and commitment to implementing this class,” said Joseph Diver, Principal of the Academy of Law and Public Safety. “The students were trained and taught by exceptional instructors of the Monmouth County Police Academy and the Academy of Law and Public Safety. As a result, I have no doubt they will become dedicated members of law enforcement.”
