Grant Program Created In Memory Of Fallen Summit Officer

SUMMIT, NJ — A grant program has been established by Attorney General Christopher Porrino in memory of fallen Summit Police Detective Matthew L. Tarentino, who was killed in a fatal three-car accident on Interstate 78 East in Bernards Township on May 30.

The “Detective Matthew L. Tarentino Community Policing Grant Program” will provide grants to police departments for innovative programs aimed at fostering strong police-community relations.

"The program is named in honor of Detective Tarentino, a Summit police officer who epitomized the goals of community policing," Porrino said.

To commemorate Detective Tarentino’s badge No. 121, the Attorney General is making $121,000 in state forfeiture funds available. Porrino urged police departments to apply for individual awards of up to $10,000 and honor the fallen officer through their community policing efforts.

Tarentino demonstrated a deep commitment to community outreach, particularly the D.A.R.E. program, helping the Summit Police Department to become a 2017 recipient of the Attorney General’s Outstanding Community Policing Award last month, Porrino noted.

Tarentino was promoted to detective posthumously. Tarentino, 29, leaves behind his wife, Victoria and two sons, Robert, 3, and Raymond, 2. Victoria also has a third child due in August. The former Somerville local moved to Summit where he had served as an officer since 2012.

• See Related: Fallen Summit Officer Remembered As A Man Of 'Incredible Strength And Honor'

“Detective Tarentino was respected and beloved in his community because he embodied all of the best qualities of a police officer and role model: selflessness, compassion for others, and an unshakeable dedication and enthusiasm for his calling,” said Porrino. “I had the privilege of meeting Matthew and hearing him speak last month when we honored him and recognized his department for their outstanding community policing efforts. Because he was a visionary in this area, it is only fitting that we hold Matthew up as a model of community policing and public service.”

Eligible applicants for this grant include state, county and municipal police departments in New Jersey, sheriff’s offices and college campus police departments. Applicants may propose to enhance or expand an already existing activity or program or develop a new initiative.

Application forms are posted on the Attorney General’s website www.njpublicsafety.com and at http://nj.gov/oag/grants.htm.

The deadline for applications is July 10. All awards must be spent during the five-month period from Aug. 1 through Dec. 31.

Funding under this Community Policing Grant will be used to help pay for non-enforcement related community engagement activities and programs, such as, but not limited to:

• Community picnics, barbecues or concerts;
• Educational public meetings, forums or workshops;
• Faith-based partnership events;
• Cultural or leadership programs;
• Athletic leagues or tournaments;
• Youth engagement and empowerment activities;
• Individual officer/youth partnerships;
• Walks, 5Ks, bicycle races; or
• Food drives.

The video shown at the award ceremony about the Summit Police Department’s community policing programs is shown below:

(Image provided: Summit Police Detective Matthew L. Tarentino)

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