Mayor John E. McCormac today announced the appointment of nine new police officers to the ranks of the Woodbridge Township Police Department (WPD). The new officers were introduced during a swearing-in ceremony at the Woodbridge Municipal Building.
The appointments were approved by the Mayor and Municipal Council after each recruit successfully completed an extensive testing and eligibility process overseen by the New Jersey Department of Personnel and Department of Community Affairs.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of these nine new police officer recruits to the ranks of the Woodbridge Township Police Department,” Mayor McCormac said. “I have consistently indicated that the public safety mission is our most important priority. As a result of our commitment to public safety, the Woodbridge Police Department continues to report a decline in overall crime throughout the Township. It is our goal to continue to maintain our police ranks, thereby effectively protecting public safety.”
Joining Mayor McCormac to announce the appointment of the new police recruits were WPD Chief William Trenery and Deputy Chief Philip Dinicola, Municipal Clerk John Mitch, ranking members and patrol officers of the WPD, and family and friends. The Woodbridge Township Municipal Council offered congratulations to the new police officer recruits on their appointment and individual achievements.
The appointments include forward-thinking individuals who have expressed dedication to the task of becoming a Woodbridge Township Police Officer and career law enforcement professional. Each candidate was evaluated by an interview team from the Woodbridge Township Police Department after passing the statewide examination administered by the New Jersey Department of Personnel.
The police officer recruits will immediately begin an intensive six-month training program at the Monmouth County Police Academy. The recruits are scheduled to graduate and take-up responsibilities as Woodbridge Township police officers in June, 2010. The starting Patrol Officer salary is set at $40,000 per year.
Mayor McCormac and Chief Trenery identified the police officer recruits as:
Police Officer Recruit David R. Ricardo, 34, Colonia. Graduate of Linden High School, Union County College, and the Chubb Institute. Served four years in the United States Marine Corps attaining the rank of Corporal.
Police Officer Recruit Matthew W. Herbert, 26, Fords. Graduate of Woodbridge High School. Attended Middlesex County College before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Served four years, attaining the rank of E-3 Sergeant and continues to serve as a Reservist. Currently a recruit with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department and will graduate from the Jersey City Police Academy.
Police Officer Recruit Gary A. Thompson, 25, Fords. Graduate of Woodbridge High School. Enrolled at Middlesex County College where he pursued a course in Criminal Justice. Served four years in the United States Marine Corps attaining the rank of Corporal. Served in Iraq, Australia and the Philippines.
Police Officer Recruit Jose A. Maldonado, 26, Fords. Graduate of Woodbridge High School. Pursued a college studies at the University of Phoenix and DeVry University. Served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and attained the rank of Sergeant. After discharge, served three years as a Reservist.
Police Officer Recruit Francis H. Lee, 27, Woodbridge. Graduate of Colonia High School. Enrolled at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Berkeley College, Rutgers University, and Middlesex County College earning an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Served as a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard for five years with deployment to Guantanamo Bay.
Police Officer Recruit Diorca Hernandez, 31, Fords. Graduate of Elizabeth High School and Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Employed by the Woodbridge Police Department for the past six years as an Auxiliary Police Officer. Completed specialized training and is currently a Special Class 1 Police Officer. Served in Iraq for six months during 2007 as a member of the United States National Guard.
Police Officer Recruit Emil P. Jagiello, 24, Colonia. Graduate of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. Attended Middlesex County College with a major in Criminal Justice. Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Served four years with two deployments to Iraq and one in Haiti.
Police Officer Recruit Sean P. Grogan, 26, Colonia. Graduate of Edison High School. Attended Middlesex and Bergen Community Colleges before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Served four years in the Reserve, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Deployed to Iraq.
Police Officer Recruit Jose A. Martinez, 28, Woodbridge. Graduate of Perth Amboy High School. Attended Middlesex County College and served as a member of the United States Army Reserve for nine years, attaining the rank of Sergeant, and serving three periods of active duty. Employed as a Middlesex County Corrections Officer. Completed basic training at the Somerset County Police Academy.
“These individuals and future Woodbridge Township police officers are dedicated to serving their community. Their upcoming training will prepare them for their service. I welcome them to the ranks of the Woodbridge Township Police Department,” said Chief Trenery.
Annual crime statistics compiled by the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Reporting Unit reported an overall drop in all crime for Woodbridge Township in 2008 (2,980 total reported incidents in 2008 vs. 3,155 total reported incidents in 2007) making Woodbridge Township the safest large urban area in the state.
