Montville Students Interview School’s New SLEO Officer

Class III Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) Steven Groseibl has joined the staff at Robert R. Lazar Middle School in Montville Township, New Jersey for the 2021-2022 school year.

Officer Groseibl brings 25 years of experience with the New Jersey State Police, as well as additional background in public safety and security, to his new role as SLEO.

The introduction of this SLEO position in Montville Township Public Schools’ middle school was slated to begin in 2020-2021. However, due to the pandemic, it launched this past September, as part of the 2021-2022 school year’s goals and initiatives.

The Robert R. Lazar Middle School students call Officer Groseibl “Officer Steve.”

Three student reporters, 8th graders Giulia D’Uva, Karley Longo and Marilyn Vena, recently asked Officer Steve to sit down for an LNN (Lazar News Network) interview:

Q: HOW HAVE YOU LIKED LAZAR SO FAR?
A: “Lazar is great. Everybody here -- the students, the teachers, the faculty, the administrators -- have been awesome,” Officer Groseibl said.
Q: WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A SCHOOL OFFICER?
A: “After a long career in law enforcement I thought I could be an asset to a school and to a community,” he explained. “I also have 5 children who all go to school, and a wife who is a school teacher so I thought it would be a great environment to work in.”
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A POLICE OFFICER?
A: “My favorite part about being a police officer is being able to help others. Especially those that need the help and are requesting help,” said Officer Groseibl. “That’s very fulfilling.”

The full interview can be viewed above or on the Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel.

An avid soccer fan, with five children who play soccer, Officer Groseibl grew up in Butler, NJ where he graduated from Butler High School in 1988. He lives with his family in Blairstown, NJ.

His children range in age from 13 to 19 years-old. He has four girls and one boy.

During his 25 years and 8 months as a NJ State Police Officer, Officer Groseibl worked throughout the state. Most of his career as a state police officer was spent with the SWAT Team, the SCUBA Team and Special Operations.

In addition to serving as a commanding officer with the NJ State Police, Officer Groseibl also served as a liaison with other agencies including the Secret Service, Department of State and the FBI.

As a trooper, and a leader in the NJSP Tactical Patrol Team he also had the opportunity to protect several heads of state, including a number of individuals who have served as P.O.T.U.S. (President of the United States).

The veteran law enforcement officer serves in his role as an SLEO as both a member of the Montville Township Police Department, and an integral member of the Lazar staff. He works closely with the district’s other two SLEO team members: School Resource Officer (SRO) Scott McGowan -- who, in addition to being based at Montville Township High School (MTHS), also teaches the district’s L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) program at all five elementary schools -- and Officer Robert Vogt, who is based at MTHS.

Recently, Officer Groseibl, who is completing his first three months at Lazar, noted that his family has best prepared him for the needs, responsibilities and opportunities of serving as an SLEO in a middle school setting. He also noted that the Lazar staff and students are very welcoming, and that he is proud of the students and is excited to see the sense of ownership and pride the students take in their school.