Ocean County Detective to Lead State Sex Crimes Officers Association

An Ocean County detective will lead the state's Sex Crimes Officers' Association, a prestigious post that places her at the helm of an organization made up of sex assault and child abuse investigators from all twenty-one counties in New Jersey, as well as representatives from state and federal agencies.

Detective Sandra Rogriguez, a law enforcement officer since 1996 who has worked for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office since 1999, will lead the group for two years. She was elected by her peers to the position earlier this month after serving as vice president for four years, according to Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

Throughout the year, members of the group meet regularly and conduct training aimed at improving investigative techniques and victim services, according to the prosecutor's office. The association culminates each year with a conference which brings together all law enforcement officers, victim witness professionals, multi-disciplinary teams, sexual assault nurse examiners, and victim advocates.   

As President of the association, Rodriguez’s responsibilities will include overseeing the association's quarterly meetings; the annual Basic Sex Crimes Course for Investigators that takes place each spring; organizing and arranging guest speakers; and coordinating agendas and logistics for the annual conference. 

Most importantly, said Della Fave, Rodriguez will be tasked with maintaining relationships with the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team program as well as the various victim advocacy groups across the state.

"Detective Rodriguez has a true passion for helping victims of sexual assault and bolstering child abuse investigative methods," said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, in a statement. "This passion began as a child when she would watch her father, retired Sgt. John Rodriguez of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, sitting at the family kitchen table transcribing statements of sexual abuse victims' statements from Spanish to English."

Rodriguez worked for the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office for three years before joining the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in 1999 in the department's narcotics unit. In 2003, she was transferred to the Special Victims’ Unit, beginning her membership in the New Jersey Sex Crimes Officer’s Association.

Rodriguez is currently assigned to the department's Meghan's Law unit, where she plays "an active role in protecting the children of Ocean County and New Jersey," said Coronato.