New Officer Hopes to Have Strong Impact on Community

newest police officer does not want to just patrol the borough-he wants to become part of the community.

Twenty-five-year-old Rickey Ferriola will be finishing his third week with the this Friday. The Bergenfield resident said Kinnelon was one of his top choices when applying to departments to work in after completing the police academy.

Ferriola paid his own way through the academy, proving his determination to become an officer. He is also planning to return to school at Rutgers in the spring to complete his associate's degree with a major in criminal justice.

But that's not all Ferriola will be doing this spring. While continuing to work in his new position and returning to school, Ferriola also serves in the Marine Corps. Reserves, where he will be completing his six-year term in August. Being a marine, like being a police officer, was a lifelong dream of Ferriola's. Throughout his military tenure, Ferriola has been deployed to Iraq in 2008 and to Mozambique for a one-month mission in 2010.

Another lifelong dream of Ferriola's was to someday be a Kinnelon resident.

"I grew up wanting to live in Kinnelon," he said.

Ferriola would often visit relatives and friends who live in the borough. Now he and his wife, Teela, have begun looking for homes in Kinnelon.

"It's a great place to raise your kids," Ferriola added, crediting the positive reputation.

Ferriola also said he would like to someday have a part in educating Kinnelon's youth about the dangers of drugs through the D.A.R.E. program and through other community outreach programs.

"My main thing is I want to interact," he said. "I don't want to be the guy no one sees."

Ferriola said he is inspired by officers in the Prospect Park Police Department and the way they were friendly with residents and served as mentors to the community's children. He still stays in touch with his own D.A.R.E. instructor.

"Everyone fears police officers and there's nothing to fear," he said.

In the past several weeks, Ferriola said he has felt welcomed by the department and looks forward to continuing his career and life in Kinnelon.