SHOUT OUTS: Two of Lyndhurst’s newest police officers began 22 weeks of training yesterday the Bergen County police academy, joining an alernate-route candidate who graduates next month from the academy in Essex County.
Officer John DeCamp will begin working with a field training officer after next month’s graduation, followed by Officers Steve Batista and Officer John DeCamp in mid-June.
The FTOs “will teach, guide and continually evaluate the new officers for up to a six-month period,” Capt. John Valente said.
Batista, a former staff sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps, is the first veteran hired by the borough for the department since 2003.
MICHAEL LeSTRANGE, 30
Associates degree from Bergen Community College;
Former police dispatcher from Ridgefield Park;
Former member of the Paterson Police Auxiliary;
Former officer with Federal Reserve Police;
Hold numerous law enforcement training certificates; Alternate route candidate in Essex County Police Academy
STEVE BATISTA, 30
Lyndhurst High School graduate;
Staff Sergeant U.S. Marine Corp;
Served three combat tours of duty in Iraq;
Honorable discharge from active duty;
Holds numerous decorations, medals and citations for his actions during deployment;
Has advanced training in a number of subjects, including weapons, self defense and team building
JOHN DeCAMP, 22
Bachelors degree in Justice Studies from Montclair State University;
Graduate of Becton Regional High School;
Volunteer coach for a variety of youth sporting programs
Lyndhurst Police Chief James O’Connor, Officers Steve Batista, Michael LeStrange and John Decamp, Public Safety Commissioner, John Montillo, Jr.
