Rockland Police Academy graduates 29 officers, investigators, students before packed crowd

RAMAPO  —  After nearly six grueling months of physical training, emergency medical care and classroom work, 29 recruits graduated with a collective shout of emotion inside an auditorium packed with friends, family and law enforcement officers.

Rockland police departments enhanced their ranks by nine officers: three for the county Sheriff's Office; two each for Ramapo and Clarkstown; and one each Orangetown and Haverstraw.

One graduate will become a constable for the western Ramapo village of Sloatsburg and four others completed the pre-employment police basic training program offered by Rockland Community College. The others will become officers for several departments or investigators with three district attorney's offices in New York City.

"This is a happy day," County Executive Ed Day said twice, encouraging louder cheers from the recruits. "Welcome to our family. It is my hope that you gained all of the skills necessary to stay safe and protect those in need during your tenure in law enforcement."

Day, a retired NYPD detective commander, and Kevin Nulty, the former Orangetown police chief, said policing can be stressful and officers needed to stay in physical and mental shape. They emphasized if the job cause mental distress, officers shouldn't shy away from seeking counseling. They noted the recent suicides of four NYPD officers.

"The job can be overwhelming at times," Day said. "Don't let the bumps in the road become boulders. Don't be afraid to ask for help."

He noted officers needed, among other attributes, honesty, good communication skill, being physically fit, problem solving abilities, and empathy and compassion.

He urged the recruits to speak with the public.

"Park, walk and talk," he said, "and you will learn a lot."

The ceremony lasted more than an hour at the Fire Training Center. The Rockland County Emerald Society Popes and Drums opened the graduation as they marched into the room, then played the hymn "Amazing Grace."

After the recruits marched into the room, the Clarkstown Honor Guard carried the flags.

Each recruit was called to stage and handed their certificate, sometimes by their supervisor or a family members.

Twitter: @lohudlegal

The graduates

CLARKSTOWN  

• Officer James Burke

• Officer Katherine Vellardito

HAVERSTRAW

• Officer William Lonergan 

ORANGETOWN 

• Officer Benjamin Gorczynski

RAMAPO

• Officer Thomas Buckley

• Officer Daniel Sullivan

ROCKLAND SHERIFF'S OFFICE 

 • Officer Vincent Abbatecola 

 • Officer Dane Neretich

 • Officer Justin Rivera 

 SLOATSBURG CONSTABULARY

 •  Constable Thomas Bonkoski

KING'S COUNTY (BROOKLYN) DA'S OFFICE

 •  Detective Investigator Alexandera Ewart

 •  Detective Investigator  Inna Kim 

 •   Detective Investigator Andrea Medina 

  •  Detective Investigator Antoinette Robinson

 •  Detective Investigator Thomas Woodburn

NEW YORK (Manhattan) DA's Office

 •  Investigator Amanda Bauza 

 •  Investigator Rachel Dragos

 •  Investigator Ethan Zubkoff

 NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

 •  Investigator Brian Carroll

MOUNT HOPE POLICE DEPARTMENT

•  Officer Nigel Balgobin

BLOOMING GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT

 •  Officer Thomas Brusca

 •  Officer Brandon Guest

 •  Officer Sean Silverman

CROTON ON HUDSON

 •  Debra Rodriguez

 RCC PRE-EMPLOYMENT

 •  John Erps

 • Joseph Farrelly

 • Devon Sanborn

 • Charles Schoenleber

AWARD RECIPIENTS:

 • Academic Achievement: Amanda Bauza

 • Excellence in Firearms: William Lonergan

 • Excellence in Defense Tactics: Andrea Medina

 • Excellence in Physical Fitness: Daniel Sullivan and Amanda Bauza

 • Excellence in Emergency Medical Care: William Lonergan

 • Special Emergency Medical Response Award: Thomas Buckley

 • School Director's Award: Benjamin Gorczynski

• Officer Jason Conklin Memorial Award: Joseph Farrelly