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Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy

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History of Auxiliary PoliceAuxiliary Police Academy

In or around 1941 under the Civil Defense Act, volunteers fell under the control of the Civil Defense (CD)/Disaster Control Department. The purpose of this was to coordinate the efforts of its members in a common front to protect the lives and property of all persons within its territorial limits against enemy action or natural disaster and to preserve our national security.

At the time this was deemed necessary because of the constant threat of nuclear war with the USSR. The reason for the Civil Defense was that whole area and population groups would become isolated from the rest of the country in a post-attack period. These volunteers were then called “CD” or “civil defense”.

In or around 1952 the wording “CD” or “civil defense” was then changed to “Police Reserve” or “Reserve” this was used to describe the group of volunteers. Their role was to aid the police department in daily activities.

In or around the early 1980s the designation of “Police Reserve” was then changed to “Auxiliary Police” in accordance with the Office of Emergency Management.

What is an Auxiliary Police Officer?

Auxiliary Police Academy Class RoomAuxiliary Police Officers are part of the local Office of Emergency Management; however they are assigned to the local police agency that they are part of. They assist the police agency with uniformed patrols, provide traffic control, crowd control, and assist at major events. Some will say an auxiliary police officer is an extra set of eyes and ears for law enforcement. Being an auxiliary police officer is strictly voluntary. Auxiliary police do not receive any payment for the duties that they perform. Some responsibilities will vary depending on where that auxiliary officer lives.

About the Auxiliary Police Academy

CPR TrainingThe Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy is a 13-week training period with a total of 150 hours of instruction.

Classes are 2-3 nights a week and 3-4 Saturdays.

Weekday classes start at 7 pm and last until 10:30 pm, while the Saturday classes start at 8 am and last until 4 pm. (Class dates, location, and times are subject to change).

The recruits are instructed by individuals that have specialties in different fields. Instructors come from agencies such as the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Unit, Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), New Jersey State Police, Woodbridge Police Department, Woodbridge Auxiliary Police, Woodbridge Fire Department, Woodbridge Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Edison Police Department, and the Metuchen Auxiliary Police.

This auxiliary academy encompasses topics that include but are not limited to Criminal Law, Patrol Functions, Preservation of Evidence, Civil Government, Domestic Violence, Arrest/ Search/ Seizure, Traffic Control and Title 39, Report Writing, Court and Courtroom Standards, Bias Crimes, Hazardous Materials (HazMat), Gangs, Use of Force, Bloodborne Pathogens, Childbirth, CPR, First Aid, Crowds and Assemblages, Incident Command (ICS), Drill and Ceremony, Defensive Tactics (handcuffing and baton “MEB”), and use of OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray.Combat Training Aux Academy

The academy also has assistance from past recruits with different functions such as actors for training scenarios or safety officers during the OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray class. The assistance comes from the Edison Auxiliary Police, Metuchen Auxiliary Police, Middletown Auxiliary Police (Monmouth County), Old Bridge Auxiliary Police, Perth Amboy Auxiliary Police, Sayreville Auxiliary Police, and Woodbridge Auxiliary Police.

Arrest TrainingIn Middlesex County there are 7 police departments that have Auxiliary Police Divisions. Each of the municipalities will select candidates to attend the Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy which is located at the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Training Center in Edison. All candidates will have a complete background check performed by the sending agency. After the background check is completed, the candidates will then be sent to the Auxiliary Police Academy and become Auxiliary Police Recruits.

Who Supervises the Auxiliary Police Academy?

The Auxiliary Police Academy is overseen by the Office of Emergency Management - Police Bureau Division and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. The Auxiliary Police Academy is overseen by Sgt. Nicholas Chiorello (MCPO).

Staff of the Auxiliary Police Academy

  • Director Angelo Donato, III
  • Deputy Director David Balint
  • Senior Drill Instructor Christopher Gadomski
  • Drill Instructor Michael Harris
  • Drill Instructor Shirley Dong
  • Drill Instructor Karolyn Gonzalez

All staff members attended the Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy

How to Become an Auxiliary Police Officer

GraduationIf you are interested in becoming an auxiliary police officer please contact your local police department to see if they have a unit. Some agencies may accept an applicant from an adjacent town if your own town does not have an Auxiliary Police Division.

Below is a list of Middlesex County agencies that currently have an Auxiliary Police Division:

Auxiliary Police are not limited to just Middlesex County. There are many other Auxiliary Police Divisions in the State of New Jersey and the country. If you do not live in Middlesex County you can still contact your own local police department they may have a Auxiliary Police.

Please contact your local Auxiliary Police for more details about the Auxiliary Police Program.