Class II Officers Start Careers in Cape May

CAPE MAY- A summer in Cape May as a Class II police officer for a recent graduate of the police academy often leads to a 25 year career and benefits the city.
“Over the last two years, we have received especially good reports from our citizens about the quality of our special police officers,” said Mayor Edward Mahaney Jr. at a Tue., Aug 17 City Council meeting.
He said while many refer to them as summer officers, an old term from the 1980s and ‘90s, they are trained professionals having completed a course of study at the police academy.
Police Chief Diane Sorantino said she started in the “summer program,” a number of years ago. She said Cape May police have 19 Class II officers which are fully trained officers with all police powers.
Sorantino said the training and hiring process for Class II officers operated year round with a winter and summer academy. From the 19 Class II officers, five came from the winter academy and five from the summer graduation with 11 officers returning from previous seasons.
“That’s our goal, to get good quality people and have them return year to year,” said the chief.
She said a number of officers move on to full time employment in law enforcement or government.
Class I officers are not armed and receive more limited training. They handle parking enforcement and other calls that do not need a full time officer to respond, said Sorantino.
The department has one parking enforcement officer.
Of the Class II officers, three are in the reserves or National Guard, eight are enrolled in criminal justice programs in college and three that have achieved their Bachelor of Science Degree. She said Cape May was a good starting point for the officers and the city reaps the benefit of their education.
Acting Sergeant Dekon Fashaw, who supervises the Class II officers, said he has been with Cape May police since 1995 becoming full time in 1999.He said officer heard complaints about parking meter problems.
“If you come in contact with us when you are in need, we do our best to support you,” said Fashaw.
Sorantino said Fashaw sits atop the sergeant’s promotional list with the number one score in the county.