Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ

Asbury Park - Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and State Police Superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes today presented 102 badges to Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's newest state troopers during graduation ceremonies at the Sea Girt Training Facility.

"The demanding - and ever-expanding -- nature of the State Police mission calls for people of strength, creativity and character. Having successfully completed your academy training as the members of the 144th and 145th State Police classes you have shown that you possess these qualities," Attorney General Farber told the graduates. "Today, as you leave here, I urge you to always demand the best of yourselves. When difficult situations arise - as they inevitably will - draw on your training, commitment, and dedication to public service. The very attributes that have led you to choose this occupation," she added.

"Today's police officers face tremendous scrutiny in an environment in which threats to public safety come from many directions. These graduating troopers have been selected and trained to recognize and combat these threats," Colonel Fuentes said. "We commend them for completing their rigorous training, and we commit ourselves to supporting them as they grow to become the best law enforcement officers the region has to offer," he added.

"The troopers graduating today will witness four of our troopers receive awards for their heroic actions," stated Colonel Fuentes. "These honored troopers exemplify the actions taken by all members of the State Police, everyday," he added.

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 144th and 145th 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 detailed instruction from experts outside of the State Police, including representatives from ethnic, cultural, community and professional organizations.

In commenting on the overall selection process for State Police recruit training classes, Colonel 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.

Colonel Fuentes said that the probationary troopers will be assigned to stations throughout the state and over the next 11 weeks, the new troopers will begin their careers under the watchful eye of their Trooper-Coaches and supervisors.

Here are some interesting facts about some of the recruits of the 144th and 145th Classes: Of the following 102 new troopers, sixteen of them had prior law enforcement experience, twelve had prior military experience and four became engaged during their academy stay.

Certificate of Commendations
On Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 2:13 p.m. Trooper Sheila McKaig #5935 responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on State Highway 55 in Deptford Township. After rendering the scene safe, Trooper McKaig was alerted to an injured four-year-old girl lying in the roadway. Trooper McKaig requested a medical evacuation helicopter and proceeded to evaluate the child's condition. At this time she began CPR, it was then when she realized that the plastic breathing mask was not effective. Without considering the risk to her own safety she commenced to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation without any protective barriers. After administering CPR, a slight pulse and an improving heartbeat were observed. Trooper McKaig continued administering CPR until relieved by paramedics.

On August 25, 2005 at 2:26 p.m. SSGT. Kenneth Gross #4061 of the NJSP Ocean Station responded to an automobile that had been driven off the Barnegat Municipal Boat Ramp into the Barnegat Bay. SSGT. Gross, utilizing his training and experience, entered the water to search for and rescue the occupant. Despite the poor visibility and obvious danger, he entered the vehicle through the rear driver's side door and was able to remove the unresponsive victim from the vehicle and pull her ashore.

Certificate of Meritorious Service
On January 24, 2006, Tpr. Christopher Mills #6516 and Tpr. Brian Kearns #6360 were dispatched to a disturbance in Andover Borough in Sussex County. While there, they heard an audible fire alarm, as well as screams from across the street.

Responding to the location of the screams and alarm, Troopers Mills and Kearns observed smoke and flames coming from the Andover Inn. Both troopers entered the building immediately after learning that tenants were possibly still inside. Once on the second floor, they located four tenants who were disoriented due to the smoke and flames, but were reluctant to leave without their belongings. The troopers escorted those tenants out of the burning building to safety.

With the building now fully engulfed in flame the troopers were advised that there were people still trapped on the fire escape on the north side of the building. One tenant was unable to negotiate the stairway to safety due to a prosthetic leg. Trooper Mills climbed the ladder of the fire escape, picked up the victim and carried him down the ladder to safety in the awaiting arms of Trooper Kearns. Trooper Mills again climbed the ladder to retrieve another tenant, carrying him to safety. Troopers Mills and Kearns, proceeded around the building checking further for trapped tenants. Observed on the south side of the building were three additional occupants trapped on the first floor. All three were rescued by jumping into the troopers arms.

A list of the graduates follows below:

# # #