WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – The Washington Township Police Department is welcoming two new officers, following their graduation Friday from the Mercer County Police Academy.
In the summer of 2022, Anthony Spiridigliozzi and Christopher Santamaria began their journey to the Washington Township Police Department. During this hiring process there were over 75 applicants competing for two available positions. Applicants were tasked to complete a rigorous fitness exam which included push-ups, sit-ups, and running.
Then it was onto the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Entrance Exam. This exam was over three hours long, consisting of hundreds of questions built to test applicant’s morals, ethics and critical thinking.
Once the first two phases were passed, it was on to the interview portion of the hiring process. During this time, Spiridigliozzi and Santamaria were questioned on hypothetical police matters, current policing policies and lifestyle choices.
The final stage was the stamp of approval from Chief Jones. He then made the life changing phone calls to Spiridigliozzi and Santamaria advising them of their conditional offers of employment.
Officers Spiridigliozzi and Santamaria were sent to the Mercer County Police Academy where they spent the next 21 weeks preparing for their future career. The academy consisted of daily physical training, hours of classroom instruction and specialized training courses.
Officers Spiridigliozzi and Santamaria successfully completed the academy Friday and will soon be assigned field training officers within the Department.
“It is now the appropriate time in the post to congratulate Officer Spiridigliozzi and Officer Santamaria,” police said in a Facebook post.
