The Union County Police Chiefs Association founded the Union County Police Academy in 1946. Since that time, the Police Academy continually operated at various sites throughout Union County, producing qualified law enforcement officers for municipal, county and state agencies.
The Basic Police Training curriculum meets the strict requirements of the New Jersey Police Training Commission. The instructional staff is comprised of experts in various areas of law enforcement, thus assuring the academy graduates have the desire, ability and judgment to serve the public and honor their oath of office.
Since July 1986, the Union County Police Chiefs Association forged a “Unique Partnership” with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office in the overall operation of the Police Academy. This enabled broader opportunities for the basic and in-service training programs, and ensures maintaining the highest standards of training, competence and professionalism. It is the totality of this “Unique Partnership” that produces successful law enforcement officers to protect and serve our citizens, and provides continual education to assist them in honing their knowledge and skills. Two former prosecutors were instrumental in working closely with the Police Chiefs to form this endeavor: the late John H. Stamler and the late Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr.
In March 1989, construction began on a permanent home for the Police Academy, located on the grounds of the Union County Vocational-Technical School in Scotch Plains. The present state-of-the-art facility was dedicated on November 18, 1991,and named the John H. Stamler Police Academy of Union County, in honor of the late Prosecutor whose vision and determination served as the catalyst for bringing this project to fruition.
The new Academy officially opened its doors for operation and greeted the members of the 66th Session of the Basic Police Training Class on January 31, 1992. The Academy is offered without a fee to all Union County law enforcement agencies.
Theodore J. Romankow, Prosecutor of Union County, and the Union County Police Chiefs Association, through the Education Committee, work closely with the Academy Staff to continue the tradition of high standards of quality education that has become the hallmark of the Academy.
Retired Clark Police Chief Anton W. (Sandy) Danco is the Academy Director. Cranford Chief Eric G. Mason serves as the Academy Superintendent. |
