Award-Winning Officer Joins Barnegat Police Department

BARNEGAT, NJ — A new officer is joining the Barnegat Police Department after completing 21 weeks of training at the Cape May County Police Academy, the agency announced.

At the academy, Ptl. Zachary Santos earned the Director's Award, an honor awarded to the overall highest performer in the class in combined academic, physical training and firearms scores. He also earned the Firearms Award for achieving the best firearms qualification scores in the class and was voted class president by his peers.

Barnegat Police Chief Keith A. Germain said that Santos not only had an outstanding performance, but effectively demonstrated the traits expected of a Barnegat police officer.

"While I am proud of Ptl. Santos for the very difficult to achieve Director's Award and high-firearms award, I'm perhaps most proud of his selection as Class President-- an honor clearly indicative of the high character and leadership abilities he exhibited throughout his training," Germain said.

A six-year veteran of the United States Navy, Santos served as an elite U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer and Crew Chief of an MH-60S helicopter.

"Ptl. Santos brings a wealth of skills and experience to the job," said Germain. "As a dedicated young man serving his country, he shouldered significant responsibility and decision-making challenges during deployments overseas. We are fortunate that after honorably serving our country, he has decided to continue serving here in the town he now calls home."

Barnegat police also recently swore in Ptl. Amanda Sá, another award-winning officer. Read more: Award-Winning Officer Sworn Into Barnegat Police Department

Santos now begins his 10-week field training program with the Barnegat Police Department.