The Mt. Olive Township Police Department announces that Patrol Officer Rick LaRicci has been released from the Field Training Program and will assume full patrol duties. This assignment was made effective Sept. 6.

Chief Stephen Beecher stated “All Mt. Olive Police Officers, once they graduate the police academy, must successfully complete the Field Training Program. The program generally lasts three months and rookie officers must successfully meet the 597 training objectives that cover a multitude of police activities, laws, policies and procedures.”

LaRicci, of Wharton, is a 2006 graduate of Morris Knolls High School in Denville. He was a two way starter for the 2005 Morris Knolls State Championship football team. He graduated the County College of Morris in 2013 with an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He is a former corrections officer with the Morris County Sherriff’s Office.

Mayor Robert Greenbaum approved Officer LaRicci’s recommendation for hire on Jan. 4. LaRicci began training at the Morris County Police Academy on Jan. 14 and graduated on May 25. LaRicci was a former Green Beret with the United States Army.