Instructors

Our program faculty are very knowledgeable and respected in their fields. The Bernstein Test Prep faculty and advisory board consists of professionals who combine practical public safety skills with many years of training experience, and have the academic background necessary to effectively train officers for the promotional process. Bernstein Test Prep is proud of their role as a leader and innovator in the field. The faculty brings with them strategies and methods which have proven to be highly effective in public safety test preparation.

Chief Robert Dowd (Chief Operating Officer)

Retired as the Ninth Chief of Police in North Bergen after 26 years of service. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. As a former Bernstein student, he achieved the #1 score on his Chief, Captain, and Lieutenant exams. Chief Dowd is a co-author of Supervision of Police Personnel, a textbook which is widely cited as the “bible of police supervision”. He also serves as an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice.

Capt. Mike Bartuccio (Senior Associate)

A 30-year veteran of the Winslow Township Police Department who served in nearly every capacity, including internal affairs, patrol, and the detective bureau. He earned the highest score in the state on his Captain’s exam and is a State Certified Instructor in numerous law enforcement disciplines. He specializes in teaching the sergeants video assessment, supervision, management, and the oral assessment.

Capt. Robert L. Talalai (Lead Instructor)

Offers over three decades of law enforcement experience having worked in both police and corrections departments. He has dedicated 25 years as an instructor for Bernstein & Associates. A former Uniform Division Commander and “Officer of the Year,” he placed number one on both his Lieutenants and Captains exams. Captain Talalai maintains a highly specialized understanding of Assessment Center preparation and job interview techniques. He is also our lead instructor for New Jersey Corrections promotional exam preparation as well as all of our courses offered in the City of Chicago.

Deputy Chief Rich Verticelli (Lead Instructor)

Served with the Camden County Department of Corrections, the Camden Police Department and the Camden County Metro Division where he retired as the Executive in charge of Strategic Command. He holds the rare distinction of scoring #1 on his Captain’s exam and achieving the highest score statewide on the Deputy Chief’s exam. He joined the team in 2015, focusing his expertise on the NJ Attorney General Guidelines, case law, and Criminal Code 2C and Title 10A.

Chief Ralph Scianni (Specialist Instructor)

A retired 34-year veteran of the Bayonne Police Department who rose through every rank to become Chief. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership & Command School and earned a Master’s degree in Training Development with a perfect 4.0 GPA. On the instructional team, he is widely recognized as an expert regarding the oral components of the testing process. Chief Scianni is currently the Director of Planning and Training for the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office which complements his role as our instructional lead for Sheriff’s Officer promotional exam preparation.

Atty. Stephen Wenger (Legal Specialist)

A practicing attorney and former Assistant Attorney General who served as Chief Counsel to the Police Training Commission. He is a retired Police Sergeant from the Burlington Township Police Department and served as a Master-at-Arms in the Naval Reserve. He provides expert instruction on criminal code 2C, Constitutional Criminal Procedure and the Attorney General guidelines and directives.

Lt. Herb Williams (Instructor)

Retired from the Woodbridge Township Police Department after serving as a Patrol Sergeant, Manager of Crime Analysis, and the Accreditation Officer. He has trained law enforcement personnel across the United States, as well as internationally, and has been published in several industry books and magazines. His teaching focuses on management, supervision, and entry-level exam preparation.

Director Andrew Ely (Consultant)

Brings 30 years of experience across municipal, county, state, and federal agencies, including service as a Chief Petty Officer in the Coast Guard Reserve. He is an active consultant for the U.S. Department of Justice and has received numerous awards, including the NJ Honor Legion for bravery. He holds specialized certifications in Homeland Security and professional training.