New officer joins force

New officer
joins force
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

John Reiff

FREEHOLD — The borough’s police department has added a new recruit to the force, bringing the total number of officers to 32.

Patrolman John Reiff, 29, graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township, on Dec. 4 and began his on-the-job training on borough streets on Dec. 12.

Reiff grew up in Freehold Township and attended Freehold Township public schools. He graduated from Freehold Township High School and attended the Cittone Institute where he earned a degree in electronic technology.

The new officer previously worked for the Wakefern Corporation in Edison for eight years as a systems security coordinator. Reiff said he always wanted to become a police officer, but he took the advice of his uncle, Freehold Township police Detective William Hankins, and waited to apply until he had earned a degree.

Law enforcement work runs in the family. Reiff’s twin brother Jeffrey has been a police officer in Fairfax, Va., for eight years.

Reiff said he chose to become a Freehold Borough police officer because he especially loves the diversity in the town. He said he likes the job and is working with a good group of people who make him feel comfortable, but who also keep him on his toes.

According to Freehold Borough police Capt. Michael DiAiso, candidates must put in nine months of training at the police academy. After graduating from the academy and joining the department that hired him, the officer will team up with a certified training police officer who will instruct the officer in the various nuances of police work, DiAiso explained.

He said the new officer’s progress is monitored and evaluated on a regular basis.

"After three months the officer will be out on his own, but he will be continually supervised by the sergeant in command," the captain added.

Part of the officer’s training during the three-month period is to be shown various scenarios other officers have experienced in the past, according to DiAiso. Veteran officers will re-enact crime scenarios and the new officer will be asked to provide the proper police response.