The ninth basic class of police officers graduated from Mercer Police Academy at Kelsey Theatre on Aug. 2.
An audience of more than 300 watched the class of 19 cadets receive graduation certificates to officially make them police officers. The cadets are set to serve in police departments throughout Mercer County and elsewhere.
Brian T. Gadsby, Derek R. Fiabane, Michael J. McGowan, Peter Frascella Jr. and Timothy Donovan of Hamilton are set to serve with the Hamilton Township Police Department.
Brad A. Seigal of Jamesburg plans to serve with the Highland Park Police Department.
Dane J. Gilli of Hamilton is set to join the Ramsey Borough Police Department.
Daniel Ruiz of Manahawkin is slated to work with the Cherry Hill Police Department.
Thomas A. Septak of Roosevelt is set to serve with the Robbinsville Police Department.
Geoffrey M. Benz of Flemington and Thomas E. Foster of Hampton are set to work with the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office.
Ronald J. Falconio, Dennis Powlish and George T. Dzurkoc III of Hamilton, Julius B. Dillard of Ewing and Patrick A. Brown of Pittstown are set to join the Mercer County Sherriff’s Office.
Carlos P. Abade of Union, Edward J. McQuade of Jackson and Sean M. Van Ness of Hamilton are set to serve the West Windsor Police Department.
This is the ninth class to graduate from the academy, which was created in October 2006 and is located on the grounds of Mercer County Community College.
Graduates endured 22 weeks of training at the academy in varying aspects of law enforcement.
During training, the class studied in disciplines such as use of force, firearms, vehicle pursuit, hostage negotiation, advanced crime scene processing, and domestic violence prevention, among others.
The Mercer Police Academy consists of two classrooms designed for the needs of law enforcement training, MCCC grounds, library, and gymnasium. The campus includes a padded training room that is used for “defensive tactics” classes. A shooting range in Hopewell Township operated by the prosecutor’s office is part of the academy as well.
More information is online at mercercounty.org
