The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office hosted an intensive training program providing strategies for first responders to de-escalate encounters with those suffering from mental illness, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey. This is the first program of its kind provided to Monmouth County law enforcement officers.
The course, entitled Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT), is an intensive five-day interactive training that provides an in-depth look at a number of issues including mental illness, behavioral health, developmental disabilities and their implications for a law enforcement response during a crisis. It is based on an innovative international model of police-based crisis intervention training with community mental health care and advocacy partnerships. Instructors for the CIT training include behavioral and mental health professionals from Monmouth Medical Center, the Monmouth County Mental Health Association, the Monmouth County Mental Health Board and CPC Behavioral Healthcare, as well as law enforcement crisis resolution experts. Law enforcement officers learn from mental health advocates and experts in crisis resolution and apply these de-escalation strategies in real-life situations in order to minimize the potential for injury or violence. Mental and behavioral health practitioners are also students in the class to build relationships with the police officers in the class and to better understand the issues faced by law enforcement officers who are often the first responders to such a crisis.
270 Years of Combined Service
Congratulations to staff members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, who represent a combined total of 270 years of experience, were recently recognized for their long-term service to the Office. (Pictured left to right) Wesley Mayo, Sr. (30 years), Bobbi Jo Whiteside (20 years), Jamie Megill (25 years), Jeanette Shafer (20 Years), Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey, Teresa White (35 years), Chief of staff Steve Padula, Heather Magenheimer (20 years), Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Wojciechowski, Acting Chief of Detectives John McCabe. Not pictured: Theresa Crawford (35 years), Donna Clark (35 years), Eric Born (25 years) and John Loughery (25 years).
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture visit by Monmouth County Law Enforcement 2019
Members of Monmouth County law enforcement community recently participated in a two-day program, visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as the United States Holocaust Museum. The program kicked-off with a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, learning about the diversity and rich culture that has helped shaped our nation. The trip continued with an open discussion about anti-Semitism, bias, and the critical role of law enforcement in promoting positive community relations. The centerpiece of the program was a tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial. The program concluded with an open discussion on how the information learned, can be used to positively affect our daily roles in law enforcement.
Torch Run 2019
Members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office took part in the 2019 Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics New Jersey. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are involved. The run encompasses 26 different routes, covering 75 miles and culminates at the College of New Jersey in Ewing, for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Summer Games. the MCPO team ran through Manasquan and finishing in Sea Girt.
Torch Run 2018
Members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office took part in Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics New Jersey. The Run takes place all across the state, with 26 different routes, covering 75 miles and ends at the College of New Jersey in Ewing, for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Summer Games. Our team ran through Manasquan heading towards Sea Girt.
One Asbury Park Safe Summer Event
ONE ASBURY PARK/SUPER SAFE SUMMER is an event that took place on Saturday June 2nd from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Dewitt Avenue in Asbury Park. It is a street fair in which the Greater Asbury Park Community Development Initiative, Shiloh CFM and service providers throughout the county highlighted programs to members of the community. One of the objectives was to showcase local summer programs that will be available for children and youth during summer and out of school time. There were over 50 service providers and vendors present in addition to health and lead screenings.
The mission of ONE ASBURY PARK/SUPER SAFE SUMMER is to promote community health and wellness while providing awareness about 2018 summer youth programs and local and countywide services. This will all take place while integrating with a city-wide event that will offer family-friendly activities, entertainment, free food/refreshments, health screenings and vendors all in a safe and family-free environment to the youth and families of Greater Asbury Park.
Monmouth and Ocean County Intelligence Bureau Valor Awards Ceremony 2018
MCPO’s Computer Crime Unit receives the Walter C. Witt President’s Award for their participation in the multi-agency “Operation School’s Out,” in 2017. The operation resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals involved in the online viewing and sharing child sexual exploitation materials.
Candle Light Vigil, Springwood Park in Asbury Park
Honoring champions of victims and survivors during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
MCPO’s own Christopher Decker, Assistant Prosecutor, Major Crimes Bureau and Barbara Suppa, Assistant Prosecutor, Family Division – Victims’ Advocate were both honored for the work with victims. Lt. Delisa Brazile and Kelly Cullari were guest speakers at the event.
FBI Academy Graduates Two From Monmouth
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni is proud to announce Jeffrey Wilbert, Captain of Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Section of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, is one of 223 graduates of the latest session of the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.
“We are extremely delighted with Captain Wilbert’s accomplishment in this class,” said Gramiccioni. “He not only excelled in the class, but also successfully completed the physical challenges offered by the Academy course. His success comes as no surprise given his dedication and professionalism as a respected investigator and officer in this office.”
Joining Captain Wilbert as a graduate of the 271st Session of the National Academy program was Police Chief Andrew Huisman of the Belmar Police Department.
The two Monmouth County law enforcement officers graduated the 10-week program focused on improving the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide. The highly acclaimed professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers offers a curriculum focused on intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. The men were nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities.
“The professional and personal development gained at the National Academy will definitely enhance Jeff’s law enforcement skills. The knowledge and both the national and international contacts developed at the National Academy will not only benefit him but also the entire agency. We are proud of Captain Wilbert’s success and determination to build on his professionalism,” said John McCabe, Chief of Detectives at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Wilbert successfully completed the “Yellow Brick Road” physical fitness challenge, a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marines Corps, he also successfully completed the “Blue Brick,” a 34 mile swim – completed in 30 days and the “Half Ironman Triathlon Challenge Tile,” 70.3 mile swim, bike, run – completed over 3 consecutive evenings during Week 9.
“Attending the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy was an amazing experience, especially being surrounded by so many respected domestic and international law enforcement executive leaders for 10 weeks,” said Captain Wilbert. “As we in law enforcement work hard to forge relationships with our communities, it is also extremely important that we expand our law enforcement communication and networks.”
Wilbert began his law enforcement career in 1995. He is a graduate of the Monmouth County Police Academy and spent the next 10 years for Manasquan, Colts Neck and Ocean Township police departments. He was hired by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in 2005, where he has spent the majority of his career in the Major Crimes Bureau where has worked or supervised the investigation violent crimes.
The 223 law enforcement officers who graduated from the National Academy came from 48 states, the District of Columbia, 18 countries, five military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations. The FBI National academy Program at Quantico, Virginia, is recognized around the world for its academic excellence.
The 10-week course offers an advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. The program is offered to select officers with proven professional records within their agencies. On average, the officers selected to attend the program have 21 years of law enforcement experience and many return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees with many recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.
“Although I was the one who attended the National Academy this session, our agency, county and state were all represented in the highest regard,” said Captain Wilbert. “In order for this opportunity to happen, many thanks go to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Executive Staff for their endorsement and support, to those who covered for me during the academy, and especially to my wife and family.”
Detectives, Students Show Ultimate Sign of Solidarity
FREEHOLD – Recently, students at the Academy of Law and Public Safety were joined by detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office to take a seat in the barber’s chair to shave their heads in support of Mia Sidorakis – the daughter of a detective here.
Two-year-old Mia Sidorakis is currently undergoing chemotherapy as she fights a rare form of brain cancer at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Mia’s dad, David Sidorakis, is a detective at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO). Students from the Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS) focused their annual charitable giving on raising money to help the family cope with rising medical bills and the costs associated with living closer to the hospital than living at home.
“We guide our students at the Academy of Law and Public Safety through a community service project and fundraiser for cancer awareness every November,” explained ALPS Teacher Capt. Scott McDonald, who is a retired from the Tinton Falls Police Department. “The students chose Mia Sidorakis as this year’s recipient of all the monies donated.”
This year’s fundraising efforts included the largest student participation to-date.
“The 2017 fundraising effort had the largest student participation as of yet,” explained ALPS Teacher Capt. Thomas Powers, who is retired from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. “One student raised over $7,000 while another student raised over $1,000. Several students raised over $200. They all did a tremendous job to help little Mia.”
Several students, along with a number of MCPO detectives, shaved their heads to support the cause. Other local community groups also came in to support Mia and her family with large donations from Hesse Construction, George Wall Ford in Tinton Falls, and the Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelaghs of Belmar. ALPS staff members donated as well bringing the total money raised for Mia and her family to $12,200 – the largest amount of money raised in the 5-year history of the school’s No Shave November campaign.
The Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS) is a full-day, two-year academy for junior and senior Monmouth County students. The ALPS is a career-focused learning environment with a rigorous theme-based curriculum taught through community, industry and higher education partnerships. In the program, students acquire knowledge, skills and professional ethics while utilizing the latest technology related to the law enforcement field.
All students follow a rigorous law enforcement course of study that includes: an Introduction to criminal law, the criminal justice system, criminal investigation, corrections, private security, the police role in the community, and forensic studies of biology, anatomy and physiology.
All ALPS students are pursuing their interest in law, law enforcement, or public safety. Many students are participants in local police department explorer programs, their local first aid squad, emergency medical technicians, volunteer fire and rescue, youth police academy or the Special Police Officer Class 1 Academy.
MCPO Conference Room Dedications
Last week, we took a moment to solemnly remember eight employees who died while employed at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office: Joseph Arnold, Dilek Denker, Robert Fary, Angelica Napolitano, Shaminka Rivera, Ervin Slover, Sev Temizoglu, and Linda Whitaker. While some of these tragic losses happened as recently as this year, or as far back as to 1985, they all remain difficult losses for our Office family to process. To formally recognize their dedication and kinship with to this fine Office, we commemorated them by naming office conference rooms in their honor and memory. While these employees worked in different offices, units or otherwise, they make up part of the foundation of this Office. Each of them made substantial contributions to the work we do here daily, and their memories will be carried on in these conference rooms where we work to do justice each day. Their spirits will continue to fill our halls, and all will be fondly recalled in the annals of history within the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
It is with extreme sadness and grief that we announce the passing of retired MCPO Det. Sgt. Barry Graves, who died suddenly and unexpectedly last night.
Sgt. Graves served 22 years with our office, and more than 31 total years in law enforcement, retired only last October. He was a true friend, partner and hero to so many in State law enforcement, and his legacy will long remain in the halls of our great institution. Please allow me to share some of Barry’s many public contributions to our safety and security:
Barry began his career as a U.S. Marine assigned to NWS Earle from 1982 to 1985. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Barry was hired by the Tinton Falls Police Department in 1985, working there until 1994 when he was hired by this Office. Short of a few months in Trial Support, Barry dedicated 20+ years working in our county’s Narcotics Strike Force. It is here where Barry truly left his mark, working in an undercover capacity on hundreds of cases and participating in the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT). As an undercover, Barry made over 1000 undercover narcotics purchases, and purchased contraband including illegal firearms and fraudulent identification documents. Barry was even solicited to be a hitman on six occasions and, in one case, the target tried to hire Barry to kill a Lakewood police officer. As a sergeant, Barry supervised various narcotics investigations involving undercover operations; controlling informants; planning/executing search warrants; utilizing electronic surveillance techniques; surveillance of narcotics and gang operations; and coordinating with federal, state and municipal law enforcement agencies. In recognition of his tactical expertise, Barry was a longtime instructor at the Division of Criminal Justice Basic Course for Investigators, and a member of the Top Gun, Electronic Surveillance Course and UNIT training faculty. Over the course of his career, Barry made thousands of arrests of criminals and participated in the execution of more than 1100 search warrants.
As great of a man Barry was as a detective, it pales in comparison to the type of father he was to his lovely children, and friend he was to so many. We will remember your big bright smile, trademark toothpick-in-mouth, and gregarious and affable attitude you brought with you each day.
Rest In Peace Barry. Time will not dim the glory of your deeds.
New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association Awards
The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Strike Force, along with the assistance and participation of investigators from the following agencies: Freehold Borough Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, NJ State Police, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marlboro Police Department, were recognized by and receive an award from the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (NJNEOA) on June 08, 2017, at the annual awards luncheon in Atlantic City, for their hard work and efforts for “Operation Justice Served”.
Congratulations to Ariel Moynihan, a senior at Freehold Township High School, one of the winners of the Freehold Regional High School District “Spooktacular Window Painting Contest.” Ariel was selected to display her painting at the Freehold Borough Municipal Building. ….Her mother is Victoria Erskine from our office staff.
POLICE UNITY TOUR 2016
On May 9, 2016, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Captain Natalie Zuppa, Captain Barry DuBrosky, Lieutenant Wesley Mayo, Lieutenant Jeffrey Wilbert, Detective Sergeant Ryan Muller and Detective Kevin Condon departed from New Jersey and began their bicycle ride to the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC. This was the tenth year that detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office participated in this 250 plus mile ride and the 20th Anniversary of the Police Unity Tour. The annual “Ride for Those Who Died” honors Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty, and provides funding for the police museum, which is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive museum honoring the duty and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. Year after year, members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office ride in honor and remembrance of the 20 Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty in Monmouth County. After four days of bicycling, members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office joined with approximately 2000 other law enforcement officers from around the country and arrived at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
2016 TORCH RUN
Since 1984, members of the New Jersey Law Enforcement community have successfully coordinated and participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. This event has been recognized in the world as the top grassroots fundraising organization for the Special Olympics organization. Participants are required to run a dedicated route within Monmouth County with members of their agency at which time the torch is handed over to the next participating agency. Ultimately, the torch is carried throughout the State of New Jersey to the Opening Games of the Special Olympics which is held annually at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey. This past June, members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with members of Monmouth County Detectives, Inc., PBA Local No. 256 once again participated in this most worthy cause.
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