Introducing: Jeremy Jankowski
Two in a series of articles spotlighting Borough of Palmyra employees, volunteers and community members.
The Palmyra Police Department, like many departments in New Jersey, attempts to maintain a small number of Special Law Enforcement Officers or SLEO II’s (which are part-time) in order to assist our full-time, permanent Police Officers in performing their duties. Like most departments this is an on-going challenge as most SLEO II’s are pursuing full-time employment. After losing a handful of SLEO II’s to full-time opportunities in other municipalities and departments, it was determined that our best course of action would be to place a “raw” recruit directly into the Gloucester County SLEO II Academy.
In June of 2012 interviews were held and one person stood out from all the rest. Jeremy Jankowski, a Delran resident who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security, was the top choice. At the time of the interview Jeremy was working security at Joint Base Maguire/Ft. Dix and was eager to start a career in law enforcement. Jeremy was also willing to commit to the nine months needed for training and to dedicate himself to the SLEO II Police Academy.
On August 20, 2012 Jeremy walked into the Gloucester County Police Academy along with forty-one other recruits. After nine months of grueling physical training and intense academic classroom instruction, ranging from criminal law to first responder first aid training, the class dwindled to only thirty-two dedicated recruits. Finally, on May 22, 2013 they walked out of the Academy as Police Officers.
On that evening members of the Palmyra Police Department attended the graduation of the Twenty-Fifth Gloucester County Special Officer II Academy. As class members were presented with awards it became clear that we had chosen the right person to represent the Borough of Palmyra.
First, Jeremy received one of two Physical Training Awards, compiling a score of 98.89. Jeremy and another recruit were actually tied for first place with identical scores – the very first time in Academy history! Next, Jeremy was given an award for perfect attendance. But he wasn’t done yet. He then went on to receive the Academic Award for highest academic average. But the best was still yet to come. As the night was winding down Academy Director Fred Madden presented Jeremy with the prestigious Directors Award. This award is presented to the recruit who maintains the highest average in all functional areas of the Academy and exemplifies the highest degree of Honor, Integrity and Service.
Jeremy is now starting the Palmyra Police Department’s Field Training Program. For the next ten to twelve weeks Jeremy will be riding with seasoned Field Training Officers. He will be taking what he has learned in the academy and learning how to apply it in the real world. Jeremy is excited to be able to work closely with the dedicated Police Officers of our fine department and more importantly, to serve the residents of Palmyra.
Photographs courtesy of Chief Scott Pearlman
