The recruits completed 24 weeks of intensive physical and academic training to prepare them to serve the state and its citizens.           

Four Centenary University alumni were among the 124 recruits who graduated from the New Jersey Police Training Academy on July 12. The Centenary alumni—Kevin J. Zaccareo Jr., Peter J. Diaz, Anthony V. Cecere, and Yousef Y. Fahmi—completed 24 weeks of intensive physical and academic training before their graduation, which was held at Monmouth University. Troopers Zaccareo, Diaz, and Fahmi were all Centenary criminal justice majors who graduated in 2023, while Trooper Cecere earned his Centenary degree in liberal arts in 2021.

“The State Police academy accepts the best of the best,” said Douglas Compton, Ed.D., assistant professor of criminal justice at Centenary. “We’re extremely proud of the Centenary graduates who were part of the recent state police class. Their presence at the academy, which is highly competitive, reflects their intelligence and tenacity, as well as the great relationship the University has with New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan.”

Dr. Compton teaches a course called Careers in Criminal Justice, which is part of Centenary’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. The University also offers a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. Each spring, Dr. Compton invites a cadre of criminal justice professionals to campus to encourage students to explore job opportunities in a range of professions, as well as issues facing law enforcement today. A highlight to the speaker schedule is an annual visit from Col. Callahan. 

During his presentations, Col. Callahan invites Centenary students to visit state police headquarters in West Trenton. Three of the four recent Centenary recruits took him up on the offer, later signing up for the state police written and physical exams to qualify for the academy. 

Of the 124 members of the 166^th New Jersey State Police Class, 121 were men and three were women, 116 have college degrees, 17 are prior members of the military, 10 have prior law enforcement experience, and four were firefighters. In addition, 57 were college athletes, including the Centenary graduates: Troopers Fahmi and Diaz were members of the University’s men’s soccer team, while Trooper Cecere was a wrestler, and Trooper Zaccareo played baseball.

The New Jersey State Police Training Academy is one of the few residential academies in the nation, making the life of a recruit challenging in many ways. Recruits report to the academy before dawn on Monday morning, and don’t return home until dismissal on Friday evening. They are away from their families during significant life events. During the 166th academy class, two recruits had a child born and eight lost a family member. The newly graduated troopers have been assigned to stations across the state. 

At their graduation ceremony, Col. Callahan said, “Policing is continually evolving to meet the challenges of our times. I know these troopers are committed to embracing change, adopting new technologies, and fostering community trust to better serve and protect our citizens. I am confident they are fully prepared, resilient, and ready to serve. They embody the values of integrity, courage, and dedication. I look forward to seeing them become leaders and positively impact their communities.”

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.