def # 28 02/16/12

19 NEW OFFICERS GRADUATE OCEAN COUNTY POLICE ACADEMY

LAKEWOOD - The Ocean County Police Academy 93rd Basic Police Recruit Class marked the completion of their initial training during a graduation ceremony today at Georgian Court University, here.

For almost 24 weeks, 19 police recruits were put through their paces in academics, physical fitness and marksmanship.

"These new officers have given it their all to join the law enforcement community," said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. "My colleagues on the Board of Freeholders and I extend our congratulations to each new officer and wish them well as they join the ranks of their respective police departments."

"We also want to thank their families and friends as they provided the encouragement and support throughout their time at the Ocean County Police Academy," said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little.

Ocean County Sheriff William L. Polhemus, who oversees the academy, said the new officers have been trained well at the academy.

"We are very proud of these new officers," Polhemus said. "We are confident they will wisely use the tools they have been provided during their time at the academy."

The keynote speaker at the ceremony was Beach Haven Police Chief Kevin Kohler.

Police Recruit Anthony Iliadis, Manchester Township Police Department, was the recipient of the George Haines Award presented by the 200 Club.

Receiving Class Awards were Sean R. Smith, Toms River Police Department, High Academic; Anthony Iliadis, Manchester Township Police Department, received the class awards for High Overall, and High Physical Fitness, and Stephen Hedberg, Perth Amboy Police Department, received the award for High Marksmanship.

The graduates and their respective police departments are: Robert Ashton, Berkeley Township Police Department; Brian Foley, John J. Getz, Joseph L. Lardieri, John C. Rotondo, David J. Thergesen and Ryan A. Valeri, all Brick Township Police Department; Charles Grainger, Christian A. Kant, Witold P. Paduch, Sean R. Smith, and Louis H. Taranto III, all Toms River Police Department; Anthony Iliadis, and James M. Wiener, both Manchester Township Police Department; Charles E. Messer II, Lakewood Police Department; Andrew Hadjioannou, Stephen Hedberg, and Davis Salazar, all Perth Amboy Police Department and Andrew J. Smith, Little Silver Police Department.