Mike Arena

Officer Involved Shooting

Mike is from New Jersey and began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age. He started out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by the New Jersey Department of Corrections became a Corrections Officer, and worked in multiple state prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to New Jersey, where he worked as a Police Officer with the Stockton University Police Department. Mike was elected to join the Atlantic County New Jersey Regional S.W.A.T Team during that time. After seeking advancement, Mike made his final transfer to the Ventnor City Police Department.

While serving the citizens of Ventnor City, Mike was unfortunately involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting where the suspect attempted to stab him and his partner. After pleading with the suspect to drop the weapon for over 12 minutes, the suspect charged Mike and his partner and forced them to neutralize the suspect. Over his 10-year career, Mike has received multiple awards and recommendations, including but not limited to the New Jersey Meritorious Service Valor Award, Life Saving award, and several letters of recognition and appreciation from several law enforcement organizations. After being involved in numerous critical incidents over his 10-plus-year career, Mike has now made it his mission to help officers struggling with Trauma/PTSD get the help they need and deserve.