Berkeley Adds Five New Cops To Roster

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Five new police officers will soon be on the road once they finish training with township department officers.

All five graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy on Jan. 19 in a ceremony at Ocean County College, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

The new officers include Robert Kennedy, Michael Zilavetz, Derek Mayer, Chris Walters and Shane Leighton, the mayor said.

The officers will train for several months with Berkeley police officers.

"The training will last a few months before they go on the road by themselves," Amato said. "We are excited to add these five officers to our already hardworking, dedicated police department."

Michael Zilaveta received a high academic award at the ceremony. Derek Mayer received received the PTP Merit Award.

The addition of the new officers brings the total number of officers in the department to 70, the mayor said.

Photo: Courtesy of Berkeley Township Police Department