MORRIS TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

49 Woodland Avenue, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Phone (973) 539-0777 Fax (973) 326-7485

NEWS RELEASE

Date: June 20, 2012 Prepared by: Capt. Rich Ferrone Contact Number: 973-326-7482

Morris Township Department Annual Awards Ceremony

On behalf of Acting-Chief John McGuinness, we would like to invite you to attend the Morris Township Police Departments Annual Awards & Recognition Ceremony. This ceremony will be held tonight, June 20, 2012, at 7:00 pm in the Morris Township Municipal Building. The annual awards ceremony is intended to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our police officers for their outstanding service to the agency and the community they serve. Please join us in extending a sincere thanks and congratulations to the men and women of the Morris Township Police Department for a year filled with many accomplishments and successes. In a year that we experienced Hurricane Irene, a freak October snow storm, and a devastating plane crash the men and women of the Morris Township Police Department are to be recognized for the level of professionalism they provide daily.

Officers Receiving Special Recognition:

Ptl. Steven Summerer-Officer of the Year
In 2010 it was determined that only one Officer would be assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit and as our School Resource Officer. Ptl. Summerer accepted this position knowing that he would be required to maintain the responsibilities the SRO and Crime Prevention Unit demands. As the SRO, Ptl. Summerer is dedicated to the Frelinghuysen School from September until June. Over the years this detail has grown from instructing the DARE curriculum to the sixth grade students to a program that now provides programs to the entire student population. In addition Ptl. Summerer continues to effectively develop the following programs: DARE: (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed program that gives students the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs and a builds a lasting relationship with police officers. STUDENT MENTORING: interaction with students with at risk behaviors and family conflicts GOOD CITZENS: a program that recognizes students who excel in supporting other students in the middle school. BULLYING: matters of a criminal nature are immediately investigated and addressed as necessary.

GANG AWARENESS: Gang Resistance Education and Training. This program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership for children in the years immediately before the prime ages for introduction into gangs and delinquent behavior. ALIVE @ 25: a drinking and driving program for High School students and parents. OTHER SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Officer Summerer presents programs ranging from Danger Stranger to Date Rape that are offered to the Fourteen Schools in our jurisdiction as time permits. Perhaps the single most compelling reason to nominate Ptl. Summerer for the Officer of the Year Award is because of the invaluable resource he has become. Whenever there is an issue with a member of our student population Ptl. Summerer is our first point of contact to resolve the matter or gather intelligence. Ptl. Summerer has developed a unique rapport with the students, teachers and school administration which has allowed him to become a recognizable voice and face of law enforcement in our schools. Our schools are filled with successful stories each and every year but when a tragedy strikes Officer Steve is the person the school and law enforcement relies on to mediate a situation. When Ptl. Summerer is not busy with the Schools he organizes and meets with our community Neighbor watch groups. He also is the founder and coordinator of our Deer Management Program for many years and has introduced the program to many other municipalities.

Sgt. Stanley Witczak- HONORABLE SERVICE AWARD: Sgt. Witczak is presented to an officer for a credible act which meets some but not all of the requirements for other medals showing initiative and accomplishment. On January 1st 2012 a female reported to the Chatham Township Police Department that she was sexually assaulted by the driver of a transportation service. The victim was threatened by the suspect with a firearm if she called the police. Several Police Information Bulletins were reviewed by Sgt. Witczak that described the suspect and the vehicle he was operating. 18 days after the incident Sgt. Witczak observed a vehicle on EAST Hanover Avenue that fit the description of the Wanted Bulletin. The vehicle was stopped and the company that owned the vehicle was identified. With this information a suspect was identified who was attempting to flee the county. The suspect was charged with the Chatham sexual assault and another sexual assault in Sussex County. Sgt Witczak is commended for his diligence to duty. His alertness and attention to detail that identified the suspect vehicle which resulted in a suspect being charged with a serious criminal offense.

Ptl. Steven Crump-HONORABLE SERVICE AWARD: Ptl. Crump is presented to an officer for a credible act which meets some but not all of the requirements for other medals showing initiative and accomplishment. In 2011 PTL STEVE CRUMP was the leader in the agency for DWI arrests. Ptl. Crump made 23 DWI arrests which represents 21% of the total number of arrests made by the Department. This is the second consecutive year that Officer Crump will receive the MADD award. He is recognized tonight for his dedication and effort to identify motorists who operate vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and / or drugs. While making our streets safer Ptl. Crump has potentially saved many

lives.

Ptl. Clay Boeninghaus-Letter of Recognition: On January 20th 2012 Ptl. Crump conducted a motor vehicle stop of a vehicle travelling southbound on Rt. 287 for an equipment violation. The vehicle was occupied by two males that were driving from upstate New York to central New Jersey. Because of your training, experience and interview techniques involving criminal interdiction you recognized numerous indicators that are commonly associated with drug couriers. During the investigation he obtained consent to search the vehicle from the driver. As a result of the search he located a hidden compartment in the cargo area that contained 3.5 pounds of Marijuana. The suspects stated they purchased the Marijuana for $14,000 in New York State and planned to sell the CDS in New Jersey for $28.000 in street value. Ptl. Crump is commended for his keen sense of awareness by being alert for the subtle clues he observed as well as making a significant seizure of Marijuana ultimately keeping the drugs off the streets. His dedication and professionalism brings credit to the Morris Township Police Department.