LITTLE EGG HARBOR – A delegation of high-ranking Italian troopers recently visited the new Ocean County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Center as part of an annual program that has been building international law enforcement bonds for over a decade.
Sandy Lazzaro, Division Director of Business Development and Tourism, said the Italian law enforcement officers began coming to Ocean County in 2008.
“These troopers aren’t just guests; they’re part of our community,” Lazzaro explained. “They come with their families as part of Italian Heritage month.”
“They march in the Columbus Day Parade in Seaside Heights, and some of them have been visiting for years,” added Lazzaro. “One of the daughters of one of the troopers is even following in her father’s footsteps and is here now as an officer herself.”
Approximately 25 Italian officers, including inspectors, chiefs, and colonels, traveled to Ocean County to celebrate Italian heritage and foster professional ties with their American counterparts. The program is privately funded, without taxpayer support, and rooted in fostering both professional and cultural exchanges.
The centerpiece of this year’s visit was a day at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Training Center, formerly Shooters Sporting Center, on Route 539. Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy welcomed the troopers to the facility, where they first attended a briefing. Mastronardy shared insights into Ocean County’s diverse demographics and the extreme need for a dedicated training center.
“Ocean County has 31 law enforcement agencies,” said Mastronardy. “All but four have already signed up here. This site has great potential not only for our local departments but as a broader regional resource. We’re even in talks with the FBI about using the center for their training needs.”
Mastronardy explained that the law requires all officers to qualify annually in firearms, and the new center represents a state-of-the-art facility for them to do so. He also described the environmental restrictions associated with the Pinelands location, as well as its positioning within protected wetlands.
“We took ownership in January and immediately got to work on extensive upgrades,” Mastronardy said. “The main improvements have been in the outdoor and indoor ranges, making sure they’re safe and fully equipped for all types of training our officers need.”
Lt. Harry M. Foltz, Jr., manager of the training center, walked the troopers through the facility’s advanced features, including a state-of-the-art driving simulator. He said that an indoor “Shoot/No Shoot” simulation room is another planned upgrade.
“This center is about more than shooting skills. It’s about decision-making, precision, and readiness,” Foltz explained. “We want our officers to be prepared for real-life situations, and this space offers everything they need to train safely.”
Foltz added that the facility will soon feature an ammunition shoot house with moveable walls to simulate various tactical scenarios. He described the center as not only a training ground but a space for officers to hone every skill they might need in the field.
The Italian troopers had the chance to shoot two rounds at the range. Though the ranges were similar, they noticed some other distinctions right away. The pistols and rifles in the United States appeared to be very different from the standard-issue guns in Italy.
Jerry Bove, a retired Lakehurst restaurateur, played a key role in ensuring communication and engagement with the overseas guests. He joined in their amusement as the visitors asked if large water vats contained wine; they were in place for fire safety.
The tour of the facility included a walk into a secure armory room. It plays a special role in preserving and maintaining the county’s firearm collection, including several historic guns entrusted to the Sheriff’s Office since 2009. These firearms, many too large for standard safes, are housed there for safekeeping. A few mounted deer trophies, remnants from the previous owner, are on exhibit next to the older firearms.
“This room felt like the right place to display these instead of having them tucked away collecting dust,” said Lt. Harry M. Foltz, Jr., who oversees the range. “They’re a part of our history, even if they’re inoperable.”
Another room is designated as a “Ready Room,” where individuals using the indoor range can put their gear, their magazines, their ammunition, and targets during in-service training.
In previous years, the troopers’ itinerary included tours of law enforcement agencies across the tri-state area, including the New York Police Department and SWAT training in Philadelphia.
Commissioner Gary Quinn, who serves as liaison to the Sheriff’s Office, praised the troopers’ visit and the program’s ability to build international ties. “I am happy they had the opportunity to visit our new training center and witness the state-of-the-art facility we have put in place for the county’s law enforcement officers,” he said. “It’s exciting to see how this program continues to grow and strengthen.”
