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    W. Long Branch Governor James E. McGreevey, Attorney General Peter Harvey and State Police Superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes today presented badges to Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's newest state troopers during graduation ceremonies at Monmouth University's Pollak Pavilion. The 50 troopers were welcomed by family and friends in an event punctuated by the performance of "A Call To Courage," a song dedicated to the State Police by Cuba Gooding, Sr. Remarks by the Governor set the tone for the new career the graduates are entering.

     "You have completed a rigorous course of training - among the finest in the nation," Governor McGreevey told the graduates. "You have met the strict demands of course work, endured intense physical preparation, and continued to meet your responsibilities to your families. For the last 26 weeks, you have been pushed to the limits - and you have persevered and triumphed. To each of you I say: Congratulations on a job well done."

     The Governor noted that in the post September 11th world, "The State Police serve as Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's frontline of defense, the primary unit responsible for domestic security. Each new trooper faces tremendous challenges and responsibilities to protect the safety of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's citizens."

     "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 Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ 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 24 trooper-recruits of the 133rd and 26 trooper-recruits of the 134th classes embarked on their training more than a year ago with the filing of initial employment applications.

     "Today, the troopers of the 133rd and 134th Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police classes have completed a very long journey," Col. Fuentes said. "It is truly an honor to congratulate each trooper and to wish the newest members of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police success and Godspeed as they report to their duty assignments. Today's troopers face a more complex world and have less margin for error. They must think and act independently and possess the self-confidence and focus to perform their job constitutionally and with compassion," he added.

     For the first time, a bus full of young people from Irvington High School and the Newark area were invited to the graduation ceremony. The excursion was organized by the State Police Community Partnership Section to encourage the students to develop a comfort level with state troopers. Most of these students have never been to an event such as this. After the graduation, the young visitors were taken to the State Police Museum and Learning Center in West Trenton. It is hoped that some of these youth may heed the calling to pursue careers with the State Police.

     According to Capt. Alfred Peters, supervisor of the State Police Training Academy, 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, significantly smaller class size for pre-service training, 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 133rd and 134th 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.

     Recognizing the important role that the field-training officer plays in the development of a new state trooper, the Social Science Unit made major revisions to the Trooper/Coach training program. The revised training required to become a Trooper/Coach was upgraded to a five-day course, which includes a comprehensive evaluation of the Trooper/Coach's ability to effectively train new troopers. The most significant change involving the Trooper/Coach program is assigning two trooper coaches to each probationary trooper.

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 50 troopers from the two classes 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 newly trained and experienced Trooper/Coaches and supervisors.

The graduates of the 133rd State Police Recruit Training Class including their town and county:

The graduates of the 134th State Police Recruit Training Class including their town and county:

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