The Bayonne Police Department recently held a swearing-in ceremony for six new police officers in the City Council Chambers. The new officers are Xavier Hogan, Anthony Lucia, Nicholas Cerbone, Justin Walker, Beshoy Nasrallah, and Roberto Bernardo. City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oath of office to the group.
Mayor and Public Safety Director Robert Kubert congratulated the new officers on completing their six months of training at the police academy. He advised them that they would be learning now from practice on the street “day in and day out.” Mayor Kubert pointed out that they would be making sacrifices by working on holidays and night shifts. He promised them that each day would bring opportunities “to help people.” At the same time, he called being a police officer “a challenging position.” After calling the Bayonne Police Department “a very service-oriented organization,” Mayor Kubert said that people reach out to the Police Department and the Fire Department, “which are called out to solve their problems.”
Police Chief Joseph Scerbo said it was “a great day” for the Police Department and the citizens of Bayonne. He told the new recruits that “honor, service, and duty” are “the core values” of the Bayonne Police Department. He stated that community policing is a “key component” of the department.” He promised the new officers “to lead from the front, and to always have your back – as long as you are doing the right thing.” Chief Scerbo called on the new officers to embody integrity. He said his goal is “to return them home safe.”
Council Member At-Large Juan Perez, who had a thirty-three-year career in law enforcement, called the Bayonne Police Department “one of the most professional and well-run.” He urged the new police officers, “Do not dishonor that badge.” Council Member Perez concluded by saying, “Welcome to a great department.”
In his concluding remarks, Mayor Kubert said that previous mayors and council members never questioned what was needed for the Police Department and Fire Department. He said they always staffed and equipped the Police Department and Fire Department with whatever they needed to serve the community professionally and adequately, and to try to ensure that every police officer and firefighter returned home safely at the end of each tour of duty.
Police Officer Xavier Hogan is a resident of Bayonne and a graduate of Montclair High School.
Police Officer Anthony Lucia is a lifelong resident of Bayonne and a graduate of Bayonne High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at New Jersey City University.
Police Officer Nicholas Cerbone is a lifelong resident of Bayonne and a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management at Caldwell University.
Police Officer Justin Walker is a lifelong resident of Bayonne and a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep. He continued his education at the University of Albany and Lackawana College, earning an associate’s degree in Business Studies.
Police Officer Beshoy Nasrallah is a resident of Bayonne and a graduate of Bayonne High School.
Police Officer Roberto Bernardo is a resident of Bayonne and a graduate of Bayonne High School. Before becoming a police officer, he was an apprentice in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.
At the ceremony, the Bayonne Police Department Honor Guard led the procession. Pipe Major Bill Peterson played The Rising of the Moon and Amazing Grace. Rev. Dorothy Patterson of Wallace Temple A.M.E. Zion Church offered the invocation. Rev. John Fencik of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church prayed the benediction.