Linden – Lieutenant Christopher Guenther, Sergeant Monika Oliveira and Investigator Jimmy Solano of the Linden Police Department were awarded the Traffic Safety Specialist, Level – I, Leadership designation during the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association online event held on Wednesday, June 3.
Linden police officials said The Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) program was brought to New Jersey from Maryland, in order to recognize police officers who have attained notable experience, education, training, and proficiency in Highway Safety Enforcement methods and procedures. Officers are approved based on documented training, employment records, service awards, and sponsorship of employers.
Level 1 requirements include three years of independent patrol experience, speed detection device certification, standard field sobriety certification, and 30 points of earned electives. One elective point is awarded for each year of military service, according to Linden Police officials.
Also, points are obtained for documented college experience.
This voluntary program was first piloted through the Ocean County Police Traffic Officers Association in February 2016. There are over 150 awardees in New Jersey.
Also, officers participate in TSS Level 2 that involves the development and implementation of a technical study to improve traffic safety conditions and reduce traffic crashes in the sponsoring community.
For more information about the New Jersey, TSS program contact cknezek@kean.edu