The NJ Cops Magazine Series … Police Academy Cape May County The Finale
New Jersey’ s next top officers
Class President James Collins talked about how it’ s the end of one journey and the beginning of another during his commencement speech.
Nearly five months of shout-downs, ironing, shining shoes, writing reports, making up bunks, running mile after mile, mustering for inspection, studying components of the criminal justice system, training on building entry, learning about the use of firearms and deadly force, studying criminal law, writing more reports, range exercises, driving skills class, unarmed defense training – and survival week – culminated with a cathartic deliverance for recruits in the 41st Basic Course of Police Officers at the Cape May County Police Academy.
Graduation day at Police Academy Cape May County on Jan. 17 presented recruit Brittany Jimenez to receive her badge from the Perth Amboy Police Department. As is the tradition at most Academy graduations, a family member who is in law enforcement can pin the badge on the recruit, and Jimenez was about to be pinned by her sister, Marisol Raji.
Marisol retired from Perth Amboy eight years ago after losing her husband, and fellow Perth Amboy Officer Thomas Raji, in the line of duty. Thomas was killed by a drunk driver in 2008. Marisol was three months pregnant at the time. More than eight years after the tragedy, Brittany, Marisol, daughter Mikayla and the rest of the family had a new reason to celebrate being in law enforcement.
Nearly five months of 51 recruits studying, training, working, eating, ironing, shining, living and growing into a truly venerable
52 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2017
Graduation day shows recruits are truly ready for the real world
By Mitchell Krugel Photos by Jim Connolly
class of law enforcement officers could only end with so much pomp and circumstance. Up to, and including, the post-ceremony, final close-order drill in the parking lot of the Cape May Performing Arts Center; in front of family, friends and future colleagues; in the dark; in the rain, these recruits never stopped casting an indelible mark to give this storied Academy even greater lore.
The graduation ceremony offered Officer Rick Susalla coming from the Pittsburg suburb of Edgewood Borough to pin a badge on his son Stephen, who was off to the Edison Township Police Department. And there was New Brunswick Sergeant John Quick welcoming yet another son, John Quick, IV, into the brotherhood. And Detective Quaema McElveen-Raoul came from Paterson Local 1 to place the badge on the chest of newly sworn New Brunswick Officer Thomas Raoul, Jr., her husband.
“ I think maybe I was happier than he was,” exclaimed Quaema, who has been on the job for 11 years.“ It was a lot of hard work doing it with our 7-year-old daughter, but I think he understands the job now.”
After NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan gave the keynote address and told recruits about having a front seat to the greatest show on earth( read his full address on page 4), Class President James Collins explained how 51 individuals became honest, hardworking law enforcement officers. In his remarks, Collins refer-