2 Lifelong Lacey Residents Sworn In As New Police Officers

LACEY, NJ — Two lifelong Lacey residents have been sworn in as the township's newest full-time police officers.

Aristotle Matarazzo and Colin Space were sworn in at the latest Lacey Township Committee meeting.

"This is the absolute best job in the world," Chief Paul Sullivan Jr. said to the new officers. "We work in a phenomenal township."

Sullivan also joked about how young the duo is.

"We really feel old," he said.

Matarazzo, 23, is a 2020 graduate of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School of Law & Public Safety. That same year, he began his law enforcement career as a Class I special officer in Beach Haven. He went on to attend the Ocean County Police Academy and graduated in 2023 as a Class II special officer in Beach Haven. In July of 2024 he was hired by the Ocean County Sheriff's Office. He also has an associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Ocean County College.

Space, 21, graduated from Lacey Township High School in 2022. He has an associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Ocean County College and is pursuing a bachelor's degree at Kean University. Space's career began in 2023 as a Class 1 booking officer in Toms River.

"There's only been a few times where we've hired a man this young, and I was one of them," Sullivan said of Space.

Matarazzo begins work immediately; Space must complete the Ocean County Police Academy first.

"We're starting to hire police officers younger than our kids, so it's almost a generation difference," said Committeeman Bob Laureigh. "Time is flying."

Despite their young age, officials said that the duo would do a great job.

"You have a remarkable command staff and support structure behind you," Mayor Peter Curatolo said. "We all have great mentors and when you recognize that, just keep your ears open."