On Tuesday, August 4, the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) welcomed Class 260 – 103 graduates of the Department’s Training Academy – into the Department’s ranks of Correctional Police Officers. The graduation ceremony was held at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, where family and friends of the graduates were invited to attend the special event designed to honor Class 260’s hard work and accomplishments, as they begin their new careers at NJDOC.
“Through expert training, dynamic collaboration, and strict accountability, New Jersey Department of Corrections officers actively protect our communities, drive rehabilitation, and uphold public safety,” said Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq. “Today, I am honored to welcome the graduates of Class 260 into our ranks and as members of an elite team that serves with honor and protects with pride. Starting today, these officers take on a vital responsibility: protecting our communities, strengthening operations across our Department, and shaping the future of public safety and rehabilitation as New Jersey’s largest law enforcement agency.”
Class 260 completed 17 weeks of intensive academic study and physical fitness training (State Basic Course) during their Academy Training, along with two weeks of immersive, on-the-job training in NJDOC facilities across the state. Coursework included instruction in firearms training and safety, defensive tactics, conflict resolution and de-escalation, criminal law, gender- and trauma-informed policing, emergency medical care, and more than 50 physical training sessions.
Class 260 by the Numbers:
- 103 total graduates, including 94 men and 9 women.
- 29 graduates have earned various academic degrees:
- Associate degree (6)
- Bachelor’s degree (20)
- Master’s degree (3)
- 12 graduates have military service backgrounds:
- United States Army (10)
- United States Marine Corps (1)
- United States Coast Guard (1)
- 41 graduates come from families with a tradition of law enforcement service.
Graduates hail from 19 New Jersey counties:
- Atlantic (3)
- Bergen (1)
- Burlington (7)
- Camden (1)
- Cape May (2)
- Cumberland (14)
- Essex (16)
- Gloucester (2)
- Hudson (6)
- Mercer (6)
- Middlesex (10)
- Monmouth (1)
- Morris (4)
- Ocean (13)
- Passaic (4)
- Salem (1)
- Somerset (2)
- Sussex (1)
- Union (9)
To recognize exemplary efforts, several graduates of Class 260 and one NJDOC instructor were named recipients of a variety of awards at this year’s graduation ceremony:
Harry Ellifritz Leadership Award
- Officer Rebeckah Nso – Instructor
Stone/Ratajczak Professionalism Award
- Officer Michael Bryan
Police Training Commission Merit Award
- Alpha Platoon – Officer Michael Bryan
- Bravo Platoon – Officer Roury Marsh
- Charlie Platoon – Officer Anthony Tomasso
Wayne Manstream Physical Fitness Award
- Officer Fredi Cobos
Commissioner’s Physical Fitness Award for Most Improved
- Officer Ronald Bernard
Fred Baker Memorial Academic Award
- Officer Michael Kurlander
SCO Michal R. Pofahl Memorial Firearms Award
- Officer Nathaniel Nogueras
At NJDOC, correctional police officers may serve in various roles and can pursue a variety of unique career paths within the Department, including positions within the nine NJDOC facilities, along with a variety of specialty tracks, including: Special Operations Group, which specializes in K-9s, designated marksmen and critical incident negotiation; Special Investigations Division, which specializes in special victims, fugitive and corrections intelligence; the Office of Emergency Management, which provides advanced security planning for high profile events; and more.
As of July 1, 2026, starting salaries for NJDOC Correctional Police Officers now begin at approximately $55,081 upon graduation from the Academy. Under the current contract, salaries for Senior Correctional Police Officers now range from $75,661 up to $123,104 annually. In addition to a competitive salary, NJDOC Correctional Police Officers also earn a wide variety of benefits – paid time off, excellent health benefits (including dental and vision), education reimbursement, maternity and family leave, disability benefits and leave, military benefits and leave, retirement benefits, and more.
Are you or someone you know looking to join New Jersey’s largest law enforcement agency? NJDOC is actively recruiting dedicated, highly motivated, purpose-driven individuals to become Correctional Police Officers, adding to the Department’s growing force of elite corrections professionals. Class 261 begins training in September 2026, and applications for Class 262, which starts in March 2026, are being accepted now.
To learn more about a career at NJDOC, visit JoinNJDOC.gov today for detailed information and to start the application process online.
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About New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC)
The mission of NJDOC is to advance public safety and promote successful reintegration in a dignified, safe, secure, rehabilitative, and gender-informed environment, supported by a professional, trained, and diverse workforce, enhanced by community engagement. For more information, visit: NJDOC.gov.