New Corrections Officers On Way to Middlesex, Union, Hunterdon

By Carol Williams/Patch Staff

FREEHOLD, NJ - Some 25 new recruits trained during the 35th Basic Course for County Corrections Officers were graduated in ceremonies today overseen by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. The graduation, held at the Monmouth County Police Academy, follows a 12-week curriculum that prepares recruits for careers as corrections professionals, according to a release from Golden. Of the 25 recruits, 14 will serve at the Union County Department of Corrections, 10 will go to the Middlesex County Department of Corrections and one will serve at the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Division. Training for the Basic Course for County Corrections Officers is coordinated by Staff Sgt. Christopher Citarella of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Division.

“It takes dedication, courage and compassion to have a career in law enforcement,” said Golden, whose agency runs the Monmouth County Police Academy. “As these corrections officers join the ranks of professional men and women, those values will guide them in safeguarding lives and property and preserving peace in a correctional environment. I commend the family and friends of today’s graduates for the support they provided to each of these graduates during the past 12 weeks of transition from recruit to corrections officer,”

Throughout the 12 weeks, the corrections officers engaged in physical training, drills and learned how to properly use firearms, batons, handcuffs and to operate mechanical restraints. They also were trained in unarmed self-defense and emergency medical response. Classroom instruction included law enforcement, ethics, stress management, contraband and evidence processing, characteristics of inmates and drug interdiction and identification, according to the release from Golden.

“These selfless men and women have committed their professional lives to serving in public safety and I applaud them,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and member of the Police Academy Board of Directors. “Their extensive training and personal character leave them well-prepared for a career in law enforcement and we are truly grateful for their efforts.”

Awards were made to Leigh D. Smith, Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Division, for marksmanship and academics, Kyle R. Reardon, Middlesex County Department of Corrections, for physical training and Christian A. Paez, Middlesex County Department of Corrections, for merit.

To date, 690 corrections officers have completed the Basic Course for County Corrections at the Monmouth County Police Academy.

Photograph by Brennan Linsley/Associated Press