10 cadets graduated from the Mercer Police Academy March 1 at Kelsey Theatre.
More than 100 audience members watched the commencement of the academy’s eighth basic class of police officers.
Graduates completed 22 weeks of training in all aspects of law enforcement and will go on to serve in three different police departments.
Nicholas B. Barber of Hamilton is set to begin his policing career at West Windsor Police Department. Dominic D. Belcastro of Alpha and Michael S. Connaughton of Phillipsburg are set to serve at Phillipsburg Police Department.
Brian J. DiBiasi, Daniel M. Hiestand, Anthony R. Pompei, James E. Rickey Jr. and Robert A. Riley of Hamilton, Andrew J. DiStefano of Ewing and Brian K. Martino of Maple Shade are set to serve at Mercer County Sheriff’s office.
The academy awarded several students for their excellence in training.
The graduates chose Barber for the N.J. Police Training Commission merit award as best all-around graduate. He also received the physical training award.
Rickey earned the overall academic achievement award, Belcastro earned the firearms training award and DiStefano earned the emergency vehicle operations award.
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes spoke at the ceremony. He saluted the graduates for choosing “a path of public service, a path of serving their communities by protecting them.”
During the commencement Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini Jr. and Sheriff Jack Kemler paid tribute to their colleague undersheriff James Taylor, who died unexpectedly in January.
MCCC president Patricia Donohue, a former Mercer County sheriff and Trenton police officer, gave the keynote address.
Other speakers included academy director Al Paglione, Lawrence Township Police Chief Daniel Posluszny and vice chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board Samuel Plumeri Jr.
Mercer Police Academy opened in October 2006 and provides a facility and resources to train law enforcement recruits. The academy is located on the grounds of Mercer County Community College consisting of two classrooms designed for law enforcement training.
Recruits also use MCCC’s grounds, library and gymnasium, including padded training room used for defensive tactics classes. A shooting range in Hopewell Township operated by the Prosecutor’s Office is part of the academy as well.
The academy is open to both Mercer County and non-County residents.
More information is online at mccc.edu/policeacademy.
