Postponed Due To COVID, Bayonne Swears In 28 New Police Officers

The City of Bayonne held a swearing-in ceremony for new police officers who have joined the Police Department in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Their ceremonies were postponed as a result of the Coronavirus. The group of new officers includes the department’s first Filipino officer and the first two Black female officers. This event took place in the Bayonne High School Auditorium, which was large enough to accommodate the new officers, their families, City officials, and other guests.

Twenty-eight new officers were sworn in by City Clerk Madelene Medina. The new recruits have replenished the ranks of the Police Department, which has experienced many retirements during the last two years.

The new police officers are: Shady Nasralla, Michael May, Bryan Cruz, Hany Kased, Robert Candelaria, Thomas Jurcisin, Jr., Alexis Ogbin, Jonathan White, Zachary Hyman, Marco Coelho, Kevin Sliwowski, Mark Hermosisima, Brandon Olander, Robert Cavanaugh, Jared Ensmenger, Jack Vreeland, Mina Saleeb, Ali Aboubakr, Perla Estevez, Erik Lyman, Febronia Botros, Joseph Cordato, Kevin Vazquez, Justin Rivera, Thomas McGuckin, Tanya Roberts, Brianna Rhodes, and Daniel Hampton.

Mayor Jimmy Davis congratulated the new officers and their families. He advised the families that they would have to get used to the new officers’ work shifts, some of which would include work on major holidays. Addressing the new officers, Mayor Davis said that they “have joined the ranks of one of the greatest police departments in the United States.” During the past year, he said, the Bayonne Police Department “stood tall” and “made each of us proud.”

Public Safety Director Robert Kubert said, “Police work in general is a very tough job today.” Referring to the new officers, he said, “It is a testament that they’re still here.” Director Kubert commended City Hall Clinic Nurse Suzanne Cavanaugh and her colleagues, and Emergency Management Coordinator Edoardo (Junior) Ferrante for the roles they have played during the Coronavirus emergency.

                                                                                                                           Police Chief Robert Geisler thanked Mayor Davis, the City Council, and Director Kubert for the “planning and forethought” that went into adding the new officers to the department. Chief Geisler called being a police officer “the best job in the world,” which provides “a front row seat to life.” He asked the new officers to treat the public respectfully by envisioning them as members of their families.

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