State Corrections Local 105 President Brian Renshaw ( fifth from right ) and First Vice President Sean Sprich ( far left ) with members at the State Corrections Day ceremony in Trenton .
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become State Corrections Day . Reverence and honor were shown to all corrections officers for how they police inside and outside the walls , having been part of details to respond to Hurricane Sandy , to support the security for a Papal visit and the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium , to answer the call on 9 / 11 and every situation they have been needed since then .
Recognition also came from somebody who started her career on this beat . Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver used to work in the Essex County juvenile facility , and she spoke to officers at the Trenton ceremony .
“ I just want the corrections officers in New Jersey to know that we acknowledge the work that you do ,” the lieutenant governor confirmed during her remarks . “ We understand the challenges that you are confronted with every day , and it is very important to Governor Murphy and me that we support our corrections police officers in every way we can . We recognize that our corrections police officers are an integral part of our public safety organization in the state .”
A day to remember
As an additional show of support , the governor ordered flags at all state facilities to be flown at half-staff on July 30 in honor of correctional police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty . Hicks defined State Corrections Day as the time to commemorate fallen officers and celebrate all officers for their extraordinary efforts and commitment . It has become the day to commemorate their legacy year after year .
That legacy now includes the title of “ police ” for corrections officers and a new badge and patch they will each wear . Local 105 played a key role in designing the badge that Hicks described as bringing “ honor and distinction ” to state corrections . And then he gave further credit where credit was due .
“ The new title is a direct result of your extraordinary efforts ,” Hicks told officers in Trenton . “ You have earned the respect of our elected officials , your colleagues in the law enforcement community and the public .”
Nobody was more excited about the step up in stature than Renshaw and State Delegate Ray Heck . Together with the Local 105 Executive Board , they led a campaign up and down the state to let elected officials know about the efforts of state corrections officers inside and outside the walls .
But Renshaw also cited the drive , passion and the commitment of those officers who gave their careers - and their lives - to corrections and inspired the respect and recognition . He commented how that presence could be felt all the way from Bayside to Trenton .
“ They ’ re standing among us today , and for them we will go the distance ,” Renshaw asserted , like a football coach giving a pregame motivational speech . “ It ’ s a privilege for me to stand up here today and look at all our officers . You look sharp . You look proud . With the new title , that ’ s a big move in the right direction . That ’ s a new chapter in the book . You know where we ’ ve come from . When I first started , we were jail guards . Those days are over . Now , we ’ re correctional police officers .”
A day to reflect
For the hundreds of Local 105 members who participated , State Corrections Day was all about respect . Giving it to brothers like Baker , whose tragedy led to Governor Whitman signing the law that gives them all vests to wear on the job , was the first order of the day . And they also took pride in saluting each other for what they endure each day .
Of course , all law enforcement officers have that same perspective – it ’ s all about getting home at the end of the day . Correctional Police Officers express how grateful they are for this because inside the walls , even a day that ’ s uneventful , when the schedule runs the way it should run , is considered just as stressful as a day when all hell breaks loose .
“ All you need is one second for it to turn to the left , and something like this can happen to any one of us ,” related Charlene Wilks , an officer at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton . “ You can ’ t get too lax with the situation that nothing is going on today . You ’ re thinking that everything is good , you ’ re having a good day and something just happens . This day brings awareness to what we have to live with on a day-to-day basis .”
Heck explained that the day lets officers know that the community does not necessarily see them as the guards walking the catwalk with shotguns , as Hollywood often portrays . So it ’ s a day to appreciate how correctional police officers provide an environment for inmates to transition from the dregs of society to getting a chance at being productive citizens .
“ Today is a day when we show the community , and the community understands , how we are part of the law enforcement community ,” he added .
The gratification on a day like this , however , is quite simple . There is a reminder of why they walk this beat .
“ We don ’ t do it for the recognition . We do it for each other , and we do it for the citizens of New Jersey ,” said John Salerno , an officer at East Jersey State Prison in Rahway . “ It ’ s just what we do . It ’ s a tough job , but that ’ s why we rely on each other .” And there is a reminder of how this day helps . “ It boosts the morale a lot , which we all need ,” confided Jeff Konopada , an officer at East Jersey State Prison .
A day to honor
Praise and tributes to correctional police officers flowed freely and often through State Corrections Day . One declaration of recognition from Cunningham had particular significance to anybody who has been jaded by dealing with inmates eight hours day – or sometimes 16 – five days a week – or sometimes more .
“ Maybe you changed one person ’ s life ,” he suggested . “ You may never know about that . They may never come back and tell you that , but believe me , it happens all the time .”
34 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2018