Across the United States, the closing weeks of 2025 have been marked by a wave of law enforcement graduations, ceremonies, and new beginnings, reflecting both the evolving demands of policing and the enduring traditions of public service. From Summit, New Jersey to Manheim, Pennsylvania and down to Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana, new officers and troopers are stepping forward—each with their own story, but all united by the call to serve and protect in challenging times.
In Summit, New Jersey, the city welcomed three new members to its police department on Monday, November 17, 2025. Mayor Dr. Elizabeth Fagan presided over the swearing-in ceremony at City Hall, officially inducting officers Nathan Bueno, Brian Cavanagh, and Elio Siragusa. Each officer brings a unique background and set of experiences to the force, mirroring the diversity and complexity of the communities they will now serve.
Nathan Bueno’s path began in Wallington, New Jersey, where he grew up before pursuing a degree in criminal justice at York College in Pennsylvania. Bueno’s résumé is already impressive: he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, joined the Special Operations Group at Hudson County Jail, and completed the Bergen County Police Academy in 2024. After graduation, he worked in the Courts Division of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, giving him a breadth of experience in both military and civilian law enforcement environments.
Brian Cavanagh, another new Summit officer, hails from New Providence. A graduate of Seton Hall University with a degree in criminal justice, Cavanagh interned with the Crime Scene Unit of the Union County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of his swearing-in, he was enrolled in the Alternate Route Program at the Morris County Police Academy, with graduation set for November 21, 2025. Cavanagh’s academic and practical experiences have prepared him for the complexities of modern policing, where forensic skills and adaptability are more crucial than ever.
Elio Siragusa rounds out the trio, bringing a business background to the force. Growing up in Toms River, Siragusa earned business degrees from Montclair State University and Florida Atlantic University. He served as a Class 1 police officer with the Lavallette Police Department during the summers of 2023 and 2024, before attending and graduating from the Ocean County Police Academy in 2025. Afterward, he returned to Lavallette as a member of the Patrol Bureau, demonstrating a commitment to both education and frontline service.
While these new Summit officers are beginning their journeys, similar stories are unfolding elsewhere. In Pennsylvania, 49 cadets graduated as Pennsylvania State Police Troopers in Manheim on Friday, December 5, 2025. According to The Center Square, these new troopers join more than 4,700 others across the state, representing the latest effort in a broader push to strengthen law enforcement ranks amid significant challenges.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has set an ambitious goal: add 1,000 new troopers, with the 2025-2026 budget funding four cadet classes. Notably, Shapiro waived a longstanding college credit requirement for applicants, a move that resulted in a staggering 258% increase in applications. Friday’s graduation marked the fourth class since this requirement was dropped, signaling a shift in recruitment philosophy aimed at removing barriers and attracting a wider pool of candidates.
Yet, as The Center Square notes, recruitment remains a struggle. The aftermath of the Black Lives Matter movement and high-profile incidents of police violence, such as the murder of George Floyd, have changed public perceptions of policing. Many officers are retiring or nearing retirement, and the job’s demands increasingly conflict with the work-life balance sought by younger generations. The force also faces ongoing challenges in recruiting women and people of color, with the Shapiro administration aiming for women to make up 30% of the force by 2030—a goal that remains distant, despite incremental progress.
Despite these hurdles, Pennsylvania is investing heavily in its law enforcement infrastructure. Governor Shapiro highlighted a $400 million investment to build a new training academy in Hershey, underscoring the state’s commitment to equipping officers for the realities of the modern era. The stakes are high: 2025 was a particularly tough year for Pennsylvania police, with three York County officers killed in September, another officer killed in February at UPMC Memorial Hospital, and two troopers surviving a shooting in Franklin County in October.
The gravity of the profession was not lost on the new graduates. In a speech before receiving his badge, Trooper Joseph A. Williams spoke for many when he declared, “We shall willingly give our own lives before watching another lose theirs, for this is our calling, a call of honor.” Williams, who received several awards for his performance during 27 weeks of training, captured both the sacrifice and the sense of duty that define the profession.
Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris reminded the class of the challenges ahead, noting that they would soon encounter people “on their very worst day” and would be expected to “restore order to chaos.” Paris also offered a broader reflection: “Regardless of faith tradition this holiday season, let us remember the universal truth of mankind – it is through giving that we truly receive. Class 174, you have a tremendous opportunity to be, hope and light to your fellow man for an infinite number of interactions.”
Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office celebrated the achievements of two deputies who completed advanced law enforcement training. According to Sheriff David L. Dauzat, Deputy Dylan Cammack graduated from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Police Training Academy on November 25, 2025, upgrading his certification from P.O.S.T. Level II to Level I—the highest peace officer certification in the state. The 15-week program, with more than 400 hours of training, culminated with Cammack passing the Peace Officers Standard Training exam, a significant milestone for any Louisiana peace officer.
Deputy Chase Skubic graduated from the Alexandria Regional Police Academy as part of its 97th Session on November 20, 2025. The academy’s basic recruit program spans 17 weeks and over 600 hours, exceeding state requirements and emphasizing values such as professionalism, obligation, leadership, integrity, courage, and excellence. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office highlighted these accomplishments as part of its ongoing commitment to place well-trained officers on the streets, enhancing public safety throughout the parish.
These stories, though rooted in different regions, are bound by common threads: the dedication of new officers, the evolving standards and expectations of law enforcement, and the communities’ hopes for a safer future. As 2025 draws to a close, the ceremonies and milestones of these new graduates serve as a reminder of both the challenges and the promise that come with wearing the badge.
