Second Round Of Somerset County Police Academy Scholarships Offered In 7 Towns

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — The second round of police academy scholarships offered by Somerset County’s Board of Commissioners and Prosecutor’s Office is now open following the successful initial offering.

The scholarships, funded by the American Rescue Plan and overseen by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s office, are focused on helping local police forces diversify to ensure they reflect the local community.

"I am thrilled at the quality of our first two scholarship recipients, Steffany Marroquin and Christopher Monrroy, and know they are going to make great contributions to the safety and security of North Plainfield and Watchung," said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. "I’m eager to see the second round of applicants, and identifying more talented and intelligent young men and women to lead Somerset County law enforcement into the future."

Seven departments have chosen to participate in the second round of scholarships: Bedminster, Bound Brook, Far Hills, Hillsborough, Manville, Raritan, and Watchung.

These departments have committed to providing two years of employment as an officer to scholarship recipients who successfully complete their Police Academy training.

Applicants must be 21 years of age, an American citizen and resident of Somerset County, speak and write in English, have earned at least an Associate’s degree or 60 college credits, be of sound mind and body, and able to pass a written, physical, and medical examination administered by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

"Steffany and Christopher are great examples of young people who can really help make the future of local law enforcement accurately reflect the communities it serves," said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. "The first round of this program was a complete success, and I am sure these seven police departments will see the same quality of applicants and officers in round two of the Somerset County police scholarship program."

Steffany Marroquin is a North Plainfield resident whose family owns a restaurant in town. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Dominican College in Orangeburg, NY, and joined the North Plainfield police as a civilian parking enforcement officer in 2021. Marroquin was promoted to dispatcher in August 2022, and is currently studying in the police academy. Upon her graduation, she will join the North Plainfield Police Department as its newest officer.

Christopher Monrroy is also a North Plainfield native, where he was the commanding officer in the Navy Junior ROTC at North Plainfield High School. He volunteered for the Watchung Rescue Squad and the Warren Township Fire Department, and currently serves as a per diem Emergency Medical Technician for the North Plainfield Fire Department. Monrroy is completing his Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering degree at Stevens Institute of Technology this spring and will enter the police academy following his graduation. Once he has completed his academy training Monrroy will join the Watchung Police Department.

Second-round applications for the Somerset County Police Scholarship can be downloaded online at soconj.gov/policescholarship or requested at becomeasomersetcountypdcop@co.somerset.nj.us. Applications are due by Friday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

As has been noted by various studies and self-assessments, the makeup of local police departments is not reflective of the communities that they serve. Specifically, police departments throughout the State of New Jersey and in particular Somerset County do not have officers that adequately reflect their communities.

Local police department hiring often selects from applicants who have already completed their police academy training and qualifications, a process that can cost up to $50,000 and often precludes working while attending academy. Somerset County’s scholarship program will not only cover the cost of tuition and materials, but also provide qualified applicants with a stipend for personal expenses so they will not require outside employment. The goal of the scholarship program is to remove the financial obstacles that residents may face and assist police departments in recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds that better reflect the communities in which they serve.

Somerset County has been successfully partnering with municipalities and local law enforcement since 2020 to improve the relationships between communities and police. A major step forward was the Community Policing Alliance partnership developed with the Bridgewater Police Department that embedded a county-employed social worker with the police to help individuals and families find help and support to reduce the need for law enforcement and the courts to get involved. This program has been a significant success and has made a difference in many lives.

This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.