Somerset County adds additional scholarships to increase local police diversity

Alexander Lewis, MyCentralJersey.com
·2 min read

The Somerset County Board of Commissioners announced a new round of scholarships focusing on helping local police forces diversify to ensure they reflect their communities.

The scholarships of up to $500,000, funded by the American Rescue Plan and overseen by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, help county residents attend the police academy with guaranteed employment at a local law enforcement department upon successful completion of the program.

Police departments in the second round of scholarships that have committed to two years of employment for candidates who successfully complete training are Bedminster, Bound Brook, Far Hills, Hillsborough, Manville, Raritan and Watchung.

Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald introduces Steffany Marroquin, the first Somerset County Police Scholarship recipient to enter the police academy.
Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald introduces Steffany Marroquin, the first Somerset County Police Scholarship recipient to enter the police academy.

Residents applying for the scholarships must be 21 years old, an American citizen, a resident of Somerset County, speak and write in English, have earned at least an associate’s degree or 60 college credits and able to pass a written, physical and medical exam administered by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

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The 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.

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 4:30 p.m. April 14

Two scholarships were awarded in the first round of the program after its launch in September last year.

Steffany Marroquin, a North Plainfield resident whose family owns a restaurant in town, will join the North Plainfield Police Department after graduating from the academy.

Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald introduces Christopher Monrroy, a Somerset County Police Scholarship recipient who will join the Watchung Police Department after successfully completing his training at the police academy.
Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald introduces Christopher Monrroy, a Somerset County Police Scholarship recipient who will join the Watchung Police Department after successfully completing his training at the police academy.

Christopher Monrroy, also a North Plainfield native, where he was the commanding officer in the Navy Junior ROTC at North Plainfield High School, will join the Watchung Police Department once his academy training is complete.

“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 Robinson in a statement.”

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset County adds new round of police diversity scholarships