Montclair Police: Meet New Faces on the Force

The Montclair Police Department recently swore in two probationary officers: Callum B. Higgins and Faizan U. Haq.

Officer Higgins attended Union County College, majoring in criminal justice. He previously served in the United States Navy as Master at Arms and also volunteered as an emergency medical technician for the Union Township Emergency Medical Unit. Officer Higgins will wear badge #257.

Officer Haq attended Kean University, majoring in communications. He was an artillery specialist in the United States Army and served in the Army National Guard as a Blackhawk helicopter mechanic. Officer Haq served with the Union Township Police Department as an auxiliary police officer. He will wear badge #258.

Officers Higgins and Haq will undergo field training while paired with trained, experienced patrol officers or FTOs. The training curriculum covers such topics as departmental operations, at-scene criminal investigations, and handling domestic violence incidents, as well as traffic enforcement and issues of homeland security. 

The trainees rotate through different trainers and shifts while receiving daily standardized evaluations based on their performance. The evaluations are periodically reviewed by the Field Training Program Supervisor. Progress is then evaluated prior to training completion and final assignment to the Patrol Division by the Chief of Police.

Both probationary officers graduated from the Union County Police Academy Alternate Route Program, funded by the trainee, in December.