Eric Darnsteadt, Anthony Frassa and Jennifer D’Amore were sworn into the West Milford Police Department as officers on Dec. 5 during the township council meeting. Mayor Joseph Di Donato swore them in. Police Chief Paul Costello released the following information about the new officers: Eric Darnsteadt Eric Darnsteadt has resided in West Milford for the past eight years with his wife and children, where he is also a volunteer fireman. Prior to his appointment to the West Milford Police Department, he was employed by US Customs and Border Protection as a customs enforcement officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs Management from Indiana University. After appointment to West Milford Police Department, he attended the Passaic County Police Academy, January through June, graduating first in his class and receiving the Academic Award. Anthony Frassa Anthony Frassa currently resides in a neighboring community with his wife and newborn son. He was raised in Ringwood, graduated from Lakeland Regional High School and attended Passaic County Community College. Prior to appointment to the West Milford Police Department in July, he was employed as a Paterson Police Officer for two and a half years, where he graduated from the Paterson Police Academy as vice president of his class. He was appointed through the Department of Personnel Intergovernmental Transfer Program. Frassa brings with him varied police experience from his uniform and plain-clothes assignments with Paterson Police Department. Jennifer D’Amore Jennifer D’Amore has been a West Milford resident for the past three years. She graduated from Lacey Township High School and also has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Montclair State University. D’Amore is a Certified CPR Instructor and Emergency Medical Technician. Prior to her appointment to the West Milford Police Department in October, she was employed as a police officer for William Paterson University for four years. She graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy in April 2004. Costello said, “In order to obtain the best police officers to serve our community, all candidates for the position of West Milford Police Officer endure a long and difficult hiring and training procedure. The first step is a written test conducted by the New Jersey Department of Personnel. If they score high enough to be placed near the top of the list they will be asked to begin a rigorous selection process including a series of interviews, background investigations, physical and psychological evaluations.” The chief of police makes a recommendation for appointment, based on the results of those criteria, and the mayor then makes the appointments. Recruit officers attend the Passaic County Police Academy, which tests them physically, academically, and emotionally, for 24 weeks. After graduation from the academy, they enter the Department Field Training Program where they ride with seasoned police officer trainers for a ten-week period. Only then are they considered qualified police officers. “This process is meant to be difficult. It insures that the police officers going out into our community are the best candidates available; both professionally trained and dedicated to their mission,” said Costello.