Walter Hopson has been working with juveniles for thirty years. Starting out as a youth sports coach, he gravitated toward the at-risk population fifteen years ago. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Richard Stockton College.

Mr. Hopson is a certified instructor with the New Jersey Police Training Commission and the American Red Cross. He has taught aspiring Juvenile Officers at the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Training Academy in Sea Girt and the Essex County Police Academy. He is a member of the American Correctional Association, Juvenile Justice Trainers Association and presided over the New Jersey Juvenile Trainers Advisory Council. He was chosen as the National Juvenile Detention Association Officer of the Year in 1995. Walt was also awarded the Thomas M. Cooper Professional Award while completing his basic Juvenile Detention Officer course in the same year.

Mr. Hopson began his career in Ocean County as a Juvenile Detention Officer in 1993 and has risen through the ranks to his current position of Assistant Superintendent.