Chief Arthur P. Drexler is proud to announce that Brett Taylor, 34, of Toms River and Stephen Russoniello, 30, of Lakewood were both hired as full-time police officers with the Barnegat Police Department during the Committee Meeting held on October 21st.
Taylor and Russoniello are the first full-time police officers hired by Barnegat since 2009. The department, which once had 47 officers, had been reduced to 41 with the retirement of six officers over the past several years.
The new officers were hired after finishing 1st and 2nd out of over 250 applicants who endured a highly competitive and rigorous selection process. The process, which was conducted in full compliance with nationally established CALEA accreditation standards, involved a written examination, grueling physical fitness test, and oral interview.
Taylor has been a social studies teacher and assistant varsity wrestling coach for Toms River East High School for the past 10 years. He has a bachelor of arts degree in history from Rutgers University and a master of arts degree in urban education from New Jersey City University.
Russoniello is a highly-decorated United States Marine Corps combat veteran. He served with the United States Marine Corps as a Special Operator during multiple combat tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Barnegat Police Department is thrilled to welcome such highly-qualified and skilled individuals who, while coming from very different career paths, both have a substantial history of accomplishment and success.
Both officers will undergo training at the Monmouth County Police Academy beginning in January.