Crime & Safety

Police Academy Graduates: Englishtown's Costagliola and Manalapan's Defilippis Take Oaths

The official ceremony was on May 24 at the Monmouth County Police Academy

Joseph Defilippis and Nicola Costagliola were among the 39 Monmouth County Police Academy graduates who took his official oath of office in a ceremony on May 24.

Flanked by officials, fellow officers, family and friends, after weeks of intensive training, 30 officers from the 82nd Basic Course for Police Officers and 9 officers from the 38th Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers officially took the oath at the Academy.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, whose agency runs the Monmouth County Police Academy, praised the graduates for pursuing a career in public service. “By successfully completing their training, these fine men and women have demonstrated their commitment to law enforcement. That is a great privilege, since there is no higher responsibility, than preserving public safety.”

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“As I look through the ranks and see newly bestowed badges we can all be rest assured that our communities, our families and our residents will all be protected,” said Freeholder Director John P. Curley, who addressed the graduating class. “Our expectations will be high, but I am confident that the inner strength and confidence you have will meet the goals one hundred percent.”

The Basic Course for Police Officers is a 20-week program with 780 hours of training. The Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers is a three-month program and consists of approximately 600 hours of training with full police powers while on duty upon graduation. The 30 newly sworn officers will work as full time police officers in their respective towns and the 9 “specials” generally work seasonally during the busy summer months. 

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“These graduates have completed a rigorous training program, at a prime police academy from Monmouth County’s highly qualified instructors,” said Freeholder Lillian Burry.  “I have no doubt they will all embark on successful careers in law enforcement.”

Police Academy Director David Morris said the graduates are well trained and well prepared. “It is a calling to serve as a police officer,” Morris said. “With that calling comes courage and integrity. These traits cannot be learned at the academy; they come from within.”

Award winners in the 82nd class: Garrett Culloo/ Neptune Township -Marksmanship Award, Andrew M. Baldino/Wall Township-Academic Award, Garrett Culloo/Neptune Township-Outstanding Trainee Award, Craig Whitman/Wall Township-Physical Fitness, Andrew M. Baldino/Wall Township Traffic Officers Award & Hunter Brockriede/Wall Township-Merit

Award winners in the 38th SLEO class: Jamil Brooks/Asbury Park-Marksmanship Award, Brian Macdonald/Avon-Academic Award, Jamil Brooks/Asbury Park-Outstanding Trainee Award, Jamil Brooks/Asbury Park-Physical Fitness, Brian Macdonald/Avon-Traffic Officers Award, and Brian Macdonald/Avon-Merit Award.


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