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December 9, 2005

The swearing-in of 13 new police officers and 12 newly promoted members of the Woodbridge Township Police Department will take place Dec. 16 in the Council Chambers, Mayor Frank G. Pelzman and Police Chief William Trenery have announced.

The promotions ceremony begins at 11 a.m. The swearing-in ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

Four officers will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant: Robert A. Brady , Richard A. George, Dennis J. Gorman, Stephen McClay.

Eight officers will be promoted to the rank of sergeant: Thomas J. Balint , Gregory G. Conklin, Joseph T. Goodheart, Todd D. Kutcher, Christian Laudadio, Laurie L. Paone, Joseph Pucci, Donald W. Reilly,

Thirteen new recruits will be sworn in to the department: Mario Alejandro, Jr. , Edward J. Barrett, Dennis C. Benigno, Cindy Chavey, Thomas J. Ganci, Patrick J. Harris, Dean Janowski, Jr., Paul Lobar, Jr., Michael J. Mason, Brian E. McGurik, Brian T. McMillin, Philip Ortega, Michel Tapia.

“These officers and their distinguished service careers are examples of why this is the finest police department in the state,” says Mayor Pelzman. “In assuming their new responsibilities, they will extend the proud tradition of the Woodbridge Police Department and make our fully accredited department even stronger.”

The department was re-accreditated in August, 2005 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Woodbridge is one of only five police departments in New Jersey to be nationally accredited. The Woodbridge Township Police Department was first accredited in 1999 and re-applies for accreditation every three years.

“National accreditation means our police department has met the highest standards of law enforcement,” says Mayor Pelzman.

“Verification that the department meets these state-of-the-art standards is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement,” says Woodbridge Township Police Chief William Trenery .

“Having our Department measured against nationally recognized standards is a great benefit to the entire community.”

˜ PROMOTION TO LIEUTENANT ˜

Robert A. Brady , 46, a 15-year WPD veteran. Brady was promoted to Sergeant in 2001 and has served this department in many ways. He is currently serving as liaison for our Anti-Terrorism Task Force and serves as a member of our Hostage Recovery Team. He will be part of our Radio Patrol Division, Administration Office.

Richard A. George , 48, a 24-year WPD veteran. George worked in the patrol division until 1991 when he was assigned as a detective in our Criminal Investigation Division, was promoted to Sergeant in 1993 and served as Evidence Officer. Sergeant George is currently assigned to our Administration Office. George will be assigned to our Criminal Investigation Division as Assignment Lieutenant.

Dennis J. Gorman , 52, a 24-year WPD veteran. Gorman, promoted to Sergeant in 1997, is in charge of our Traffic Enforcement Unit and is one of our most skilled investigators. Gorman will serve in our Radio Patrol Division as Shift Commander.

Stephen McClay , 55, an 18-year WPD veteran. McClay was promoted to Sergeant in 1994 and served as a squad commander in our patrol division. Currently, McClay is assigned to our Administrative Office as an investigator.

˜ PROMOTION TO SERGEANT ˜

Thomas J. Balint , 50, an 18-year WPD veteran. Balint will remain in the patrol division and will serve as a squad supervisor. His father, the late Victor Balint, Sr. also served this department and retired with the rank of Lieutenant in 1992.

Gregory G. Conklin , 33, a 9-year WPD veteran. Conklin will remain in the patrol division and serve as a squad supervisor. His father, George, a Lieutenant is completing 35 years of service with this department.

Joseph T. Goodheart , 44, a 15-year WPD veteran. Goodheart has been part of our Bicycle Unit for several years and has made it one of our most successful programs. Goodheart will serve as a squad supervisor in our Radio Patrol Division.

Todd D. Kutcher , 35, a 14-year WPD veteran. Kutcher was part of our Traffic Enforcement Unit for several years. Kutcher will serve as a squad supervisor in our Radio Patrol Division.

Christian Laudadio , 35, a 10-year WPD veteran. Laudadio will remain part of our patrol division and will serve as a squad supervisor.

Laurie L. Paone , 42, a 15-year WPD veteran. Paone was part of our Traffic Unit for several years. Paone will serve as a squad supervisor in our Radio Patrol Division.

Joseph Pucci , 43, a 16-year WPD veteran. Pucci will remain in the Radio Patrol Division and will serve as a squad supervisor.

Donald W. Reilly , 48, a 15-year WPD veteran. Reilly has been a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division for several years and has assisted in many of this department’s investigations. He will serve in our Radio Patrol Division as a squad supervisor.

˜ NEW POLICE OFFICERS ˜

Mario Alejandro, Jr. , 24, a Woodbridge resident, graduated from Woodbridge High School and served in the Marine Corps Infantry.

Edward J. Barrett , 26, an Iselin resident, graduated from J.F.K. High School. His father, Edward, also an officer with more than 25 years of service to the community, currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.

Dennis C. Benigno , 23, a Port Reading resident, graduated from Woodbridge High School and served with the U.S. Park Police in Washington D.C.

Cindy Chavey , 31, an Avenel resident, graduated from Perth Amboy High School and served in the Navy and Army Reserves.

Thomas J. Ganci , 24, a Woodbridge resident, graduated from Woodbridge High School, served in the Marine Corps and was a special police officer with the Sea Girt Police Department.

Patrick J. Harris , 21, a Colonia resident, graduated from Colonia High School and served as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Woodbridge Police Department. His father, Fred Harris, also an officer with the WPD, has served the community for more than 25 years.

Dean Janowski, Jr., 22, a Sewaren resident, graduated from Woodbridge High School and served in the Army National Guard. His father, Dean Janowski, is a detective with the WPD and has served the community for more than 20 years.

Paul Lobar, Jr. , 35, a Colonia resident, graduated from Bloomfield High School and has served as an East Orange Police Officer for the last 13 years.

Michael J. Mason ,27, a Fords resident, graduated from Woodbridge High School and attended Middlesex County College earning a degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science.

Brian E. McGurik , 25, a Colonia resident, graduated from Colonia High School and attended Kean University earning a B.A. in Criminal Justice.

Brian T. McMillin , 29, a Colonia resident, graduated from Colonia High School and attended Middlesex County College.

Philip Ortega , 29, an Iselin resident, graduated from Roselle Catholic High School and served as a Police Officer with the Irvington Police Department.

Michel Tapia , 24, a Port Reading resident, graduated from Colonia High School and served as a Corrections Officer with the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center. Michel will be joining his brother, Santiago Tapia, also employed as a Township Police Officer for the past 3 years.

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