NJDOC Welcomes 157 New Correctional Police Officers in Largest Academy Class Since 2017

Class 259 graduated Feb. 10 in Trenton after 19 weeks of training, with recruits from 20 New Jersey counties — including one from Morris County — and new pay scales starting at about $53,200.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections welcomed 157 new correctional police officers into its ranks on Feb. 10 during a graduation ceremony for Training Academy Class 259 at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton. NJDOC described the group as its largest graduating class since 2017.

The graduates completed a 17-week State Basic Course combining academic instruction and physical fitness training, followed by two weeks of on-the-job training in NJDOC facilities across the state. NJDOC said the program included 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.

Who graduated

Class 259 included 133 men and 24 women, according to NJDOC. The department said 41 graduates have earned academic degrees — 10 associate degrees and 31 bachelor’s degrees — and 19 graduates have military service backgrounds.

NJDOC also said 76 graduates come from families with a tradition of law enforcement service.

Graduates came from 20 New Jersey counties, along with one county each in Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania. NJDOC reported the following New Jersey county breakdown:

• Cumberland (22), Ocean (18), Middlesex (15), Essex (14), Union (14)

• Mercer (9), Passaic (9), Gloucester (7), Hudson (7)

• Bergen (6), Burlington (6), Camden (5), Monmouth (5), Somerset (5)

• Cape May (4), Atlantic (3), Warren (2)

• Hunterdon (1), Morris (1), Sussex (1)

Out-of-state counties listed were New Castle County, Delaware; Richmond County, New York; and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with one graduate each.

Awards presented

NJDOC said several recruits and one instructor received awards during the ceremony:

• Harry Ellifritz Leadership Award: Officer Eric Durkot (Instructor)

• Stone/Ratajczak Professionalism Award: Officer Christopher Scales

• Police Training Commission Merit Award:

  • Alpha Platoon — Officer Josue Dort

  • Bravo Platoon — Officer Michael Janocko

  • Charlie Platoon — Officer Nicholas Olan

  • Delta Platoon — Officer Christopher Scales

• Wayne Manstream Physical Fitness Award: Officer Fednel Charly

• Commissioner’s Physical Fitness Award for Most Improved: Officer Austin Davis

• Fred Baker Memorial Academic Award: Officer Dawson Coyle

• Michael R. Pofahl Memorial Firearms Award: Officer Makai Rodriguez

Roles and pay

NJDOC said correctional police officers can work across the department’s nine facilities and pursue specialized assignments, including the Special Operations Group, Special Investigations Division and the Office of Emergency Management, among other units.

As of July 1, 2025, NJDOC said starting salaries for correctional police officers begin at approximately $53,200 upon graduation from the academy. Under the current contract, NJDOC said salaries for senior correctional police officers range from $73,100 to $123,000 annually.

The department also highlighted benefits including paid time off, health coverage, education reimbursement, family leave, disability and military leave provisions, and retirement benefits.

Recruiting timeline

NJDOC said it is recruiting for future classes, with Class 260 scheduled to begin training in March 2026. Applications are being accepted for Class 261, which NJDOC said is set to start in September 2026.