Written By TheBookWorm July 2022
Honor. Duty. Fidelity. These are the three core values that Sergeant First Class Matt Szustowicz of the New Jersey State Police works by. I had the honor of getting to interview SFC Szustowicz and finding out more about his job. I learned many interesting things about how he trains, what he does, and many brave stories of things he has done.
Other than his current title of Sergeant First Class, SFC Szustowicz has held numerous other titles during his career. These titles are General Road Duty Trooper, Firearms Instructor, and Academy Instructor. As of July 28th, this will be SFC Szustowicz’s seventeenth year on the job. Although starting out on the road was fun for him, after having kids, he decided to become an Academy Instructor. He felt that he didn’t need to be running around anymore and that having children changed him, making him desire a day to day routine that was a little safer. Even though SFC Szustowicz never envisioned himself where he is now, he is happy with his path and enjoys his job.
SFC Szustowicz was first inspired to become a State Trooper due to his interest in law. Initially, he saw himself becoming a lawyer, but after visiting a State Police Museum, he became enamored with the prestige and uniform of the State Police. After that, there was no stopping him as he became focused on his goal. To get the job, SFC Szustowicz had to take a physical test of push-ups, sit-ups, and a mile and a half run. After passing the original test, State Troopers must take another physical test every year. These annual tests consist of 32 push-ups in two minutes, 34 sit-ups in two minutes and a mile and a half run in under 13 minutes. In addition to these physical tests, State Troopers are encouraged to work out for at least an hour a day. Let’s just say being a State Trooper isn’t for anyone who lacks the desire to be fit and doesn’t enjoy physical activity!
SFC Szustowicz’s typical work day has changed recently since his transfer from the Academy where he was in charge of training all new recruits on physical fitness, firearms instruction, handcuffing procedures, searching procedures and motor vehicle stops. Now his day at work starts of at the station where he supervises a detective and three civilian police. He leads meetings where they talk about grants for equipment, which he then purchases. His main purpose of work at the new job is auditing financial grants for State Police which is much different than his old job. We can all agree that SFC Szustowicz is a multi-talented man!
SFC Szustowicz enjoys his job, but also feels like there are ups and downs. His least favorite part of his job is, wait for it… wearing a suit and tie! At his old job, he wore his uniform which he enjoyed much more. On the contrary to his least favorite part, SFC Szustowicz says that the most rewarding part of his job is helping the other troopers succeed in their tasks. He loves when he can guide the younger troopers. To add to the best and worst parts of his job, SFC Szustowicz also told me about the most surprising part of his job. He says that recently, the part that surprises him the most is when someone goes up to him to say thank you for doing what he does. He told me that things have changed throughout his time on the job and that police officers are getting more disrespect than ever before. This is very unfortunate because the majority of officers are just trying to keep their areas safe.
SFC Szustowicz has had many different experiences and he told me about his scariest, when he got shot in the hand. In 2008, SFC Szustowicz and his partner were tracking two stolen cars. During the chase, SFC Szustowicz’s partner got shot in the face and he got shot in the hand. SFC Szustowicz is fully recovered with very few limitations today, and thankfully, his partner is also now fine. Another story he told me about was a ridiculous call he had to follow up on.
It was his first day back after getting shot and the station got a call saying someone was outside their house shooting a shotgun. SFC Szustowicz was the only officer there as his backup was 30 minutes away. He walked up to the stairs of the house and saw blood everywhere. It turned out that the person was intoxicated and blew up his leg with a firecracker. I know that if I ever saw blood everywhere, I would freak out! The last story that SFC Szustowicz told me about was how some of the criminals he has to escort to the station are violent.
Although for the most part, men are scared to fight SFC Szustowicz due to his intimidating 6’7” height, he told me that many females aren’t scared to fight him. He has had to drag women while they were spitting and kicking at him SFC Szustowicz wants all the people striving to join the force to know that you have to be mentally tough because you are going to see things that normal people won’t ever see. Officers need to be able to forget seeing one horrific thing so that they can move right onto the next part of their day. He also encourages prospective Troopers to make sure they are in great physical shape as you always want to be stronger than the person you are fighting. SFC Szustowicz says that to be a good officer you have to have honor and always tell the truth. You constantly need to be looking to do the right thing. In addition to that, you have to be big on teamwork and be a huge team player.
In his spare time, SFC Szustowicz loves coaching his children in their sports, playing softball, and working out. He absolutely adores his children, and sometimes even turns the police car siren on for them. We should all try to be a little more like SFC Szustowicz - brave, strong, and willing to do anything for their job. I am honored to have had the chance to interview SFC Szustowicz and feel safer knowing that men like him are wearing Trooper uniforms in my community.
"TheBookWorm is a talented 12 year old NJ girl who works on The Sweetest Gigs. As part of our Recruiting for Good purpose; kids on our gigs use their talent to serve the community. She chose to interview SFC Szustowicz. I am grateful for her efforts. As they coincide with our party on July 2nd 'A Sweet Day in LA' celebrating The Men and Women in Blue...a Kids' Donut Party with Culver City Police Department!"
Carlos, Founder Recruiting for Good, The Sweetest Gigs for Girls, A Sweet Day in LA
Love to honor and celebrate the 4th of July, start on Saturday with our Kid's Donut Party
