The City of Bayonne this week held a swearing in ceremony for 14 new police officers. The new recruits are taking the place of police officers who have retired recently. Five of the new Bayonne police officers transferred from other police departments and law enforcement agencies.
The event, held in the City Hall Council Chambers, was the first time that Robert Kubert attended a police promotional ceremony as Mayor since he succeeded former Mayor Davis, who is now Hudson County Sheriff. Mayor Kubert remains Public Safety Director.
During the ceremony, Mayor Kubert stated, “I really appreciate the opportunity to serve in this capacity.” He thanked former Mayor Davis and the City Council for having supported the new police recruits. Kubert added that the job of police officer “is not what it is on television.” He said the Bayonne Police Department “has prided itself on being a service organization.” He urged the new officers “to serve with pride.” Speaking to the families of the new officers, Mayor Kubert thanked them for the sacrifices they have made. He advised the families that the new officers would start studying for the sergeant’s exam.
Police Chief Joseph Scerbo said that the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony for the new police officers was “a great day for the citizens of Bayonne.” Speaking to the new recruits, Chief Scerbo called policing “a calling, not just a career.” He explained that the Police Department’s motto, “To Protect and Serve” is “a mantra that this department lives by every single day.” Chief Scerbo pointed out that community policing is “a key part of that mission,” and that the officers should “embody integrity” with each moment. He pledged to support the new officers, to “lead from the front,” and to have their backs as long as they “are doing the right thing.”
Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, a retired police officer and mayoral candidate, said that police swearing-in ceremonies are “one of the most enjoyable parts of this job.” He called being a police officer “the best job in the world.”
The new Bayonne police officers are: Kaery Rivas, Devin Ortiz, Joseph Vuolo, James Young, Brayden Cotter, Nicholas Toolen, Elias Statham, Andrew Johnston, Giuseppe Pagano, Robert Geisler, Jr., Nicholas Kiniery, Herving Rullon, Nicholas Vazquez, and Marving Delacruz.
Officer Rivas is a graduate of Bayonne High School. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies at Montclair State University.
Officer Ortiz is a graduate of Union City High School. He served in the U.S. Amy National Guard for six years, with one active-duty deployment.
Officer Vuolo is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep. At Nichols College, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management. Currently, he is working towards a master’s degree in that same field at Nichols College.
Officer Young is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at William Patterson University.
Officer Cotter is a graduate of Bayonne High School. Prior to joining the Bayonne Police Department, he was employed as a Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer.
Officer Toolen is a graduate of Bayonne High School. Before becoming a Bayonne Police Officer, he was employed by Gordon Terminal Service Company.
Officer Statham is a graduate of County Prep High School. He continued his education at New Jersey City University with a major in Homeland Security. He began his law enforcement career in 2017 with the New York Police Department. Subsequently, he was employed as a Detective with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office prior to his employment with the Bayonne Police Department.
Officer Johnston is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He continued his education at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Officer Pagano is a graduate of Marist High School. He continued his education at Kean University. Before joining the Bayonne Police Department, he was a Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer.
Officer Geisler is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Massachusetts.
Officer Kiniery is a graduate of Marist High School.
Officer Grullon is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He continued his education at New Jersey City University, where he majored in History. He began his law enforcement career as a Hudson County Corrections Officer. Then he served as a Police Officer with the Irvington Police Department before joining the Bayonne Police Department.
Officer Vazquez is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He earned an associate’s degree in Business Management at Hudson County Community College. He also served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged after seven years of duty.
Officer Delacruz is a graduate of Bayonne High School. While attending the police academy, he earned the top gun marksman award and most outstanding recruit award. Before joining the Bayonne Police Department, he was a Hudson County Corrections Officer.
Congratulations to the new officers. Serve well and stay safe.