This article originally appeared on November 13, 2023 in The Monmouth Journal, Northern Monmouth County Edition.

Monmouth County Vocational School District's Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS) recently hosted the Women in Law Enforcement forum, introducing students to Monmouth County’s three female police chiefs: Tina Scott (from left) of the Belmar Police Department, Shannon Torres of the Keyport Police Department and Marlowe Botti of the West Long Branch Police Department.

KEYPORT — Nearly half of the 70 students enrolled in Monmouth County Vocational School District’s (MCVSD) Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS) are female, which has influenced the Academy’s commitment to provide students with opportunities to learn from and network with diverse role models in the field.

ALPS recently hosted what has become an annual event, the Women in Law Enforcement forum, introducing students to Monmouth County’s three female police chiefs: Tina Scott of the Belmar Police Department, Shannon Torres of the Keyport Police Department and Marlowe Botti of the West Long Branch Police Department.

Diver said a hallmark of the ALPS experience is the team of educators – including three former law enforcement officers – who use their connections to introduce students to law and public safety professionals and open doors for field experiences and internships. In fact, the police chiefs who participated in the recent forum may end up reconnecting with students who intern with their departments.

“Our program is full of opportunities – like the recent forum – for students to really soak in all there is to know about an industry, and that is true of all career and technical education programs,” said Diver. “Students explore career options and take steps toward their futures.”

Diver explained that students enrolled in ALPS, which transitioned this year from a two-year to a four-year program, can earn as many as 26 transferrable credits through dual-enrollment agreements with Brookdale Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Students may also apply to become a Class 1 Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) in their senior year – a year earlier than they would be eligible to apply if not enrolled in ALPS.

“This means that students who are selected after applying and interviewing enter the police academy in June and often start working the very same weekend they graduate high school,” said Diver. “It's a great thing for our students to graduate with a job, but it also benefits the police departments that hire them, especially those along the shore communities that have greater employment needs during the summer months.”

"This was such an honor to be a role model to all these young individuals interested in finding out about a future in law enforcement," said Keyport Police Chief Torres. "The students were amazing. We not only learned so much from each other but had a great time doing it. My two fellow female chiefs and I had a great day."

ALPS Principal Joseph Diver said the forum reinforces for the female students that they can have success in the law enforcement field. The guest speakers provide insight into their roles and the expectations and great responsibilities for anyone in their position.

ALPS will host an open house this Saturday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The campus is located at 225 West End Ave. in Long Branch. Registration is not required

Current eighth grade students interested in applying to ALPS for next school year must apply by Friday, Dec. 1.

As ALPS transitions from a two-year to a four-year program, the Academy is accepting one more cohort of two-year students. Current sophomores can apply for next academic year starting on Friday, Jan. 5 through April 8, 2024.

Questions about the admissions process for the MCVSD Career Academies or any other career and technical education program offered by MCVSD should be directed to applications@ctemc.org

Three Female Police Chiefs Inspiring Next Generation