Bayonne Holds Promotion Ceremonies for Fire and Police Departments

The City of Bayonne held joint promotion ceremonies recently for superior officers in both the Fire Department and the Police Department. The event took place in the City Council Chambers. In the Fire Department, Francis Pawlowski became Chief; Vincent Parlavechio rose to Deputy Chief, and Raccys Pozo was promoted to Battalion Chief.  In the Police Department, James Donovan became Deputy Chief; Joseph Styles rose to Captain; and Matthew McMonagle was promoted to Lieutenant.  City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oaths of office for all of the promoted officers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Sharon Nadrowski said that police officers and firefighters chose careers that involve “tremendous sacrifice.”  She recognized the fire and police families for their “support and sacrifice.” Mayor Nadrowski congratulated the promoted members of both departments on their “well-earned achievement.”

Public Safety Director James Ashe thanked City Clerk Medina for her role in the promotion ceremonies.  Referring to the joint ceremonies for the two sets of officers, Director Ashe said that the Police and Fire Departments “are part of the same team.”

Speaking on behalf of the City Council Members, Council President Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez called the promotions “well-deserved.”  She thanked the promoted officers for their “bravery and commitment.” 

Police Chief Joseph Scerbo thanked Mayor Nadrowski, the City Council, and Director Ashe for having made the promotions possible.  Chief Scerbo thanked the newly promoted men for their “dedication, professionalism, and commitment to service.”  He said the newly promoted officers are leaders who will “set an example” and “make difficult decisions.”  Chief Scerbo asked them to “lead with integrity and treat others with respect,” and to carry their new ranks “with humility.”  He concluded by saying, “I am proud of you.”

Fire Chief Francis Pawlowski said he was “deeply honored and humbled” by his promotion. He added that “no one advances through the fire service alone,” because firefighters learn from their colleagues.  Chief Pawlowski credited Bayonne firefighters  with  “generations of service, sacrifice, and professionalism.” He said that his departmental leadership would respect traditions while carrying out innovations. He urged the newly promoted firefighters to lead with “honor, consistency, and respect.”      

 Fire Chief Francis Pawlowski is a graduate of Koinonia High School.  He continued hie education at DeVry Technical Institute, where he majored in Electronics.  Before joining the Bayonne Fire Department, he worked at MCS Canon.  He works as a Fire Instructor at the Monmouth County Fire Academy.   Chief Pawlowski was appointed to the Bayonne Fire Department in 1992.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000, and was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau, and then to Group 4 TL2.  In 2005, he was promoted to Captain, and was assigned to Group 4 TL1 and then Squad 5.  In 2016, he was promoted to Battalion Chief, and was assigned as the Tour Commander to Group 4, and then as Chief of Fire Prevention.  Chief Pawlowski holds various certifications including Fire Official, Fire Instructor Level 2, Fire Investigator and Incident Management Level 3.  In 2010 and 2019, he was named Firefighter of the Year, and has been recognized with several citations through the years.  

Deputy Chief Vincent Parlevachio graduated from Bayonne High School in 1998.  Prior to his career in the Fire Service, he worked as a Police and Fire Dispatcher for the City of Bayonne from 2000 to 2005.  He was appointed to the Bayonne Fire Department in 2005, initially assigned to Engine 4.  Two years later he was assigned to Ladder 3, which he was a member of for the next eight years. He was promoted to Captain in December of 2015 and assigned to Engine 2.  In 2022 he was promoted to Battalion Chief, where he served

as the Compliance Chief for two years and then assigned to Group 4 as the riding tour commander from 2024 to 2026. Deputy Chief Parlavechio holds multiple advanced certifications, including Hazmat Technician, Marine FF Command, Water Rescue Technician, and Incident Management Level 3. His many accomplishments include numerous unit citations and being named the 2024 Firefighter of the year for his actions in the recovery of two fallen members of the Newark Fire Department during a shipboard fire.

Battalion Chief Raccys Pozo attended North Bergen High School, graduating in 1998.  After graduation, he attended St. Barnabas radiation therapy school, graduating in 2003 and earning a degree in Radiation Therapy.  Prior to his employment with the Bayonne Fire Department, Battalion Chief Pozo was employed with Robert Wood Johnson Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.  Battalion Chief Pozo was appointed to the Bayonne Fire Department in 2013.  He was assigned to Engine 3, Group 3 after successfully completing the Fire Academy.  In 2020, Battalion Chief Pozo was promoted to Captain.  He was assigned Captain of Tower Ladder 1 Group 1.  He was later assigned as the Training Captain of the department’s training division. Throughout his career, Battalion Chief Pozo has earned numerous advanced certifications, which include, Hazmat Technician, Structural Collapse Specialist, Rope Rescue, Trench Rescue Technician, Fire Instructor, Drill Instructor, American Red Cross CPR Instructor and CEVO Instructor.

Deputy Police Chief James Donovan was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on July 12, 1999.  He is a graduate of Marist High School and continued his education at NJCU, earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with Magna Cum Laude honors. Deputy Chief Donovan has been assigned to the Patrol Division, Cops in Schools Unit, ABC Unit, Investigative Division, and also served as the Night Operations Commander.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2007, Lieutenant in 2015, and Captain in 2020.  He is the recipient of one Police Commendation, three Meritorious Police Service Awards, and fourteen Excellent Police Service Awards.  Deputy Chief Donovan was also named the Bayonne Police Emerald Society Officer of the Year in 2007.  

Captain Joseph Styles is a lifelong Bayonne resident and was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 2002.  He is a graduate from Bayonne High School and continued his studies at Wagner College with a focus on Criminal Justice.  

Throughout his career without the Bayonne Police Department, Captain Styles has been assigned to the Patrol Division.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2019, and Lieutenant in 2023.  He is the recipient of two Meritorious Police Service Awards, three Police Commendations, and five Excellent Police Service Awards. 

Lieutenant Matthew McMonagle was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 2018. He is a lifelong resident of Bayonne and a graduate of Hudson Catholic High School. He furthered his education at Lebanon Valley College where he pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education.  During his time with the Department, Lieutenant McMonagle has been assigned to the Patrol and Traffic Enforcement Divisions.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2023, and is the recipient of numerous letters of appreciation from the citizens of Bayonne.

At the ceremony, the Bayonne Police and Fire Honor Guards led the entrance procession and the pledge of allegiance. Rev. Dorothy Patterson of Wallace Temple A.M.E. Zion Church prayed the invocation.  Rev. John Fencik offered the benediction. Fire Department Battalion Chief Kenneth Jaros and Police Captain Michael Kubert recited the promoted officers’ biographies.