(TRENTON) – Governor James E. McGreevey announced today that he has selected State Police Captain Joseph Ricardo (Rick) Fuentes to be the next Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

 

“When we began our search, we stated our commitment to ensuring that the New Jersey State Police remain a law enforcement agency that commands excellence, professionalism and the public’s confidence,” said McGreevey.  “Captain Rick Fuentes has distinguished himself as an exemplary member of the State Police, working his way up from road duty trooper, to Chief of the State Police Intelligence Bureau, and now to Superintendent.  He has the balance, the expertise and the leadership required to lead the New Jersey State Police, and I am confident that he will bring this organization to the next level.”

 

“I am honored to have been nominated to serve as the Superintendent of the State Police," stated Fuentes. "Though I know there are any number of challenges ahead, I am confident that each will be successfully met.  There is a lot of work to do on all fronts in keeping with the very high standards we have set for ourselves, the standards that are expected of us by the Governor, the Attorney General and the citizens of this state.  I consider myself lucky because I have a great organization to work with.”

 

“Rick Fuentes is one of the brightest, most talented commanders in the State Police,” said Harvey  “One is immediately impressed with both his intelligence and vision.  He is a proponent of the view, which we share, that the demands of today’s trooper require continuous training, careful supervision, and thoughtful leadership.  Most importantly, Captain Fuentes has a deep commitment to ensuring equal application of the law, diversity in the command staff and service to the public.”

 

Fuentes was selected after an exhaustive nation-wide search conducted by a ten member Superintendent Search Committee formed by the Governor in October.  The committee included Brendan T. Byrne, Ida L. Castro, James M. Davy, W. Cary Edwards, Louis Freeh, Reverend Dr. Moses William Howard, Stewart G. Pollock, Monsignor Robert Sheeran, David Samson and Peter C. Harvey.

 

“The search committee that I assembled exhibited tremendous dedication in identifying the strongest and most capable candidates,” said McGreevey.  “I then asked this group to identify the best possible leader for the New Jersey State Police.  They chose a leader who will be responsible for commanding one of the finest State Police organizations in the nation and who will continue the organization’s progress and achievements.”

 

In Fuentes’ nearly 25 years as a State Trooper he has served in a variety of capacities.  After beginning his career as a road duty trooper in 1978, he gradually moved up the ranks of the State Police. 

 

Over the course of his long and distinguished career, he had served as a State Police Academy Instructor, a Detective Sergeant, a Detective Sergeant First Class, a Lieutenant and a Captain before being promoted to chief of the State Police Intelligence Bureau last year. 

 

Fuentes has fought for the past thirteen years in the battle against street gangs and organized crime.  Most recently, he was in command of the Street Gang Unit credited with apprehending the leaders of the local Latin Kings.  Through his work with anti-gang units he has had the opportunity to work closely with Acting Attorney General Harvey, who has previously identified toppling gangs in the State as one of his top priorities.

 

Fuentes also has extensive experience in the areas of domestic and international terrorism while working as part of the FBI/NJSP Joint Terrorism Task Force.

 

"In our first year in office, we made New Jersey a model for bioterrorism preparedness, developed plans to protect the State’s critical infrastructure and, most importantly, made seamless coordination between the State’s law enforcement agencies a reality," said McGreevey.  “In this day and age, as a state and as a nation, we face the realities of possible war and terrorism.  Now more than ever, it is of vital importance to have the right leaders in place to help us overcome these challenges.”

 

Fuentes was the 1993 co-Trooper of the Year and has earned numerous awards throughout his career in the State Police.  He has also had four works on drug trafficking published and has a fifth awaiting publication.

JOSEPH RICARDO (RICK) FUENTES

 

Joseph Ricardo (Rick) Fuentes, Governor McGreevey’s designee for Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, has been a State Trooper for nearly 25 years.  He joined the State Police as a road duty trooper in 1978 and steadily rose through the ranks to his present position of Captain, Intelligence Bureau Chief, Intelligence Services Section.

 

Over the course of his career, Fuentes has served as a State Police Academy Instructor, a Detective Sergeant, a Detective Sergeant First Class and a Lieutenant.  He was promoted to Captain and his current job last year.

 

Fuentes has extensive experience battling street gangs and organized crime.  He was in command of the Street Gang Unit credited with the recent apprehension of the leaders of the Latin Kings gang.  He has worked closely with Acting Attorney General Peter Harvey on anti-gang programs.

 

Fuentes’ career also includes experience in domestic and international terrorism as part of the FBI/NJSP Joint Terrorism Task Force.

 

Throughout his career with the State Police, Fuentes has earned several awards, including the Trooper of the Year Award in 1993.  He has had four works on drug trafficking published and has a fifth awaiting publication.

 

Fuentes holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from the City University of New York and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Kean College.