The promotion of three Bernardsville police officers was unanimously approved by the Borough Council on February 14th, 2022. Before the vote was taken, the council members adjourned to an executive session to discuss the resolutions and later returned to authorize the promotion resolutions. The three officers promoted include:
- Lieutenant John Remian who was promoted to Captain
- Officer Tim Richard who was promoted to Sergeant
- Officer Justin Alt who was promoted to Sergeant
Once the promotion resolutions were passed, the council congratulated the newly promoted officers on their achievement. Mayor Mary Jane Canose offered her praise, saying, “Congratulations. Wonderful candidates and we are happy to move them up.”
Council and committee members were also thanked for their contributions to the process. Township Administrator Thomas Czerniecki offered thanks to Chief Valentine for running such an excellent process and commended the Safety Committee, “for all their input and advice during the process.” Police Chief Kevin Valentine said he “echoed that as well. Thank you for your continued support. I know there are a lot of difficult decisions you have to make right now, and we appreciate your continued support of the Police Department.”
The promotions of these three deserving police officers will help ensure the safety and security of the entire Bernardsville community!
New Officers Appointed
Police Chief Kevin Valentine announced the appointment of two new officers to the department on Friday, April 1st. The new officers fill vacancies created by recent retirements and restores the department’s staffing level to its authorized strength of 20 regular police officers. Both officers will begin their state mandated agency training on Monday, April 4th.
Officer Tyler Schwartz, of Stanhope NJ, is 29 years old. He previously served as Police Officer with the Chester Police Department in Morris County for the last three years. Ptl. Schwartz graduated from Lenape Valley High School in Stanhope and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from East Stroudsburg University. He received his basic police training at the Ocean County Police Academy and is fully certified as a police officer by the New Jersey State Police Training Commission.
Officer Christopher LaPorta of Morganville NJ, is 21 years old. He was previously employed with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department where he worked as a Special Law Enforcement Officer II. Officer LaPorta graduated from Marlboro High School and attended Brookdale Community College where he studied Criminal Justice. He previously received police training at the Ocean County Police Academy.
Chief Valentine said that “both officers are a welcome addition to the Bernardsville Police Department. We are excited for them to join our ranks as their previous training and experience will greatly benefit our community. The department has hired four new officers over the last five months in an effort to ensure we provide high quality police services into the future”. Chief Valentine acknowledged Mayor Canose and the members of the Borough Council for supporting efforts to maintain an adequately staffed police department required to ensure public safety services to residents of Bernardsville.