Being a criminal justice major at Bridgewater really helped to build the foundation of knowledge that I needed to be a police officer.
Bridgewater State University alumni Alex Boswell, John Pina III and Matthew Wabrek have vowed to protect and serve as new members of the Massachusetts State Police.
The three men, alongside 168 other recruits, earned their badges this summer during the 84th graduation ceremony held at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Boswell, ’16, had served as a full-time officer with the Bridgewater State University Police. He said his time at BSU was instrumental in preparing him for a career in law enforcement.“As far as working for the BSU police department…the training you get is top notch,” he said.
BSU Assistant Police Chief Michael Froio said, Boswell became an integral part of the department.
“Alex was a highly motivated and dedicated police officer with the BSUPD, he is a major loss to our department and the BSU community,” Froio said. “We have no doubt, that he will have a successful career with the Massachusetts State Police.”
The lessons learned in the BSU classrooms were also key, said Pina, ’17.
“Being a criminal justice major at Bridgewater really helped to build the foundation of knowledge that I needed to be a police officer,” he said.
Prior to joining the Massachusetts state police, Pina worked full-time with the Freetown Police Department.
As an undergraduate, Wabrek, ’18, simultaneously served as a reservist in the United States Marine Corps and is currently deployed. His desire to work in law enforcement is a lifelong goal, and, he said, BSU faculty helped support his ambition, particularly Eric Disbrow, an accounting and finance instructor.
“He was my personal finance teacher and I learned something I could actually use on an everyday basis from him,” Wabrek said. “His lessons stuck with me, and to this day have gone much further than just class material.”
All three earned degrees in criminal justice and graduated from Bridgewater with honors.
“The entire Bridgewater State University community applauds their achievement and looks forward with the utmost pride as these troopers begin their service to our commonwealth,” said Johnathan White, criminal justice instructor.
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