The 200 plus people who came to honor the past - and future - of Caldwell's police force were glued to their seats during the hour long event.

Caldwell councilman and Chair of the Public Safety committee Peter Murray emceed the event, and also has worked closely with the police department over the past few years.

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The following are Councilman Murray's remarks on this historic night, also the 120th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the borough of Caldwell.

Tonight we hold this ceremony in honor of the men and women of the Caldwell Police Department. Tonight we pay tribute to outgoing Chief Kurt Dombrowski and retiring Sgt Robert Fortunato. We will also welcome new Police Chief James Bongiorno, newly promoted Lt. Anthony Marta and Sgt. Michael Geary and Sgt. George Henderson. Also making an appearance will be our 3 new officers Michael Kraynanski, Justin Rizzo and Justin Misano.
The 2011 mayor and council recognized the fact that in past years there were delays in filling an outgoing Chief’s position and not doing promotions in concert with retirements. We took a strong stance and decided that we would not let this happen on our watch. There is nothing more important than continuity of leadership and we knew there was an opportunity to provide the resources to the Police Department to help solve the challenges that were before them.
During Nov and December we put together a time line so we could interview the 17 qualified candidates for promotions. We then had the task of reviewing more than 70 resumes for our 3 new hires. Tonight we celebrate the outcome of those efforts.

ABOUT RETIREE FORMER POLICE CHIEF KURT DOMBROWSKI (A SPECIAL PLAQUE AND PROCLAMATION WAS HANDED TO THE FORMER CHIEF)

CHIEF DOMBROWSKI
Kurt Dombrowski has dedicated his life to police work. Kurt has served Caldwell for more than 28 years at every level of police work. He is well known not only in Caldwell and Essex County but within the state of NJ as well for his commitment and tireless work. Some of his past information during this time is as follows:
Chief of Police of the Caldwell Police Department:
January 22, 2008 until January 1, 2012
Officer in Charge of the Caldwell Police Department
March 1, 2007 until January 22, 2008
Lieutenant: December 9, 2003 – March 1, 2007
Sergeant: June 7, 1998 – December 9, 2003
Patrolman/Investigator: July 7, 1992 – June 6, 1998 assigned as a patrol officer, and assisted the detective bureau with all investigative matters.
Patrolman: April 1984 – July 6, 1992 assigned as permanent patrolman
November 28, 1983 – April 1, 1985 assigned as a probationary patrolman

Continuing Law Enforcement Education more than 35 different classes and specialties.

Formal Education
* New Jersey Army National Guard 1975 – 1982
* Morris County Police Academy S.L.E.O. class 2 officer 1979 – 1982
* Essex County Police Academy basic police recruit 1/1984 – 4/1984


Belonged to 9 different Law Enforcement Organization Membership
Awards and Commendations between 1988 and 2011 he received from various police agencies including the NJ state police and the W.E. PBA Local #81

Command Citations
3 Honorable Service
3 Exceptional Service
2 Meritorious Service
1 Unit Citation
1 Commendation
1 Certificate of Appreciation
Kurt is known throughout the community for his friendly demeanor and great attitude when dealing with people. Some of my most enjoyable memories that I have of Kurt is the time we have spent on our softball team and watch him battle his sons on the other teams.
Kurt is married to Liz and they have 5 children: “Mother” Mary Imelda (32 years old), George (30), Christopher (28), Kevin (26), and Lindsay (19).


ABOUT CHIEF JAMES BONGIORNO
Jim grew up in Byram Township where he still lives today with his wife, Audra, children, Ashley and James. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from William Paterson University in 1995 and Seton Hall University in 2001 with a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Administration. He started with the Caldwell PD in December 1996 after graduating the Morris County Police Academy as an Alternate Route Candidate. He was the first Alternate Route Candidate to be hired by Caldwell.
Jim was promoted in December 2003 to Sergeant and in May 2008 to Lieutenant. Jim has worked under 5 different police chiefs since being hired 15 years ago.
In November he was chosen as our new Chief with the Title becoming official on Jan 1. During November and December he was an integral part of the promotion process and the hiring of the new members that we honor tonight. Jim brings a demeanor and management ability that will reshape the department and provide many opportunities for those that follow his lead and commitment to excellence.
Attending tonight for Jim is his Mother, Margaret, his sisters and their families and his Sisters-in-law and their families. Jim’s dad is away on business so he couldn’t attend tonight.


ABOUT LT ANTHONY MARTA
Lieutenant Anthony Marta was raised and lived in Verona NJ until 1993 when he got married to his wife Karen. They moved into the community and had three children Nicole, Anthony and Michael
Anthony Graduated from the Essex County Police Academy in 1990 and began his career in law enforcement with the Essex County Police Department and was hired in 1991 by the Caldwell Police department. Anthony was promoted to Sergeant in Oct 2009. He has been in the detective bureau for the past 6 years. Tony has been an unbelievable asset to the force and to the residents of Caldwell. Some of his recent investigations led to the arrest of the armed robbery at Papa John’s, solved the Burglary from a local Restaurant that crossed county lines and broke up a drug distribution ring in the West Essex area involving illegal prescriptions.
One of his new assignments will be training the new detective, Brad Palatucci. Tony is here tonight with his mother Margaret Marta, sisters Margie, Tina, along with their respective spouses and children.   


ABOUT SGT. GEORGE HENDERSON
George was born and raised in Pequannock Township until the age of 25 at which time he moved up to Sussex County where he met his lovely wife Caitlin, whom he married in 2009.
Back in 2001 George graduated from Western New England College in Springfield Ma with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice.  After college he then attended the Morris County Police and Fire Academy in 2002 where he received his alternate route police officer certification and immediately began working at the Caldwell Police Department. 
George has taken an active role in the community by becoming a DARE instructor and mountain bike officer.  He has also participated in many community based presentations, to all age groups, which strengthens his commitment to the community.  Throughout his career, George Henderson has also received 3 life saving awards.


ABOUT SGT. MICHAEL GEARY
Mike grew up in Hillsborough as an only child and attended Immaculata High School.  He attended Rutgers University and graduated with an Economics Degree in 2002.  His first job was for UBS PaineWebber where he was a research Analyst.  In 2004 he decided to change careers and go into law enforcement and attended the Somerset County police Academy.  In September of that same year he started his law Enforcement career with the Borough of Caldwell.  He quickly became involved in many community policing activities such as DARE, Bike patrol, municipal alliance, and also a certified instructor for the police academy.  After completing the course for Bicycle Patrol he was responsible for getting 2 BMW Bicycles donated to the department.  In 2009 he obtained his Masters Degree in Human Resources and Public Administration from Seton Hall University.  He served as the Juvenile Officer from 2010-2012 as well as being the department PBA Representative from 2009-2012.  He also served on the PBA Executive Board as the Financial Secretary and Vice President.
Currently he lives in Roxbury with his wife Gina and 2 sons Michael and Robert.  His wife’s mom Sandie and step dad Ron are in attendance tonight along with other friends and family.

INTRODUCTION OF 3 NEW OFFICERS

ABOUT MIKE KRAYNANSKI
The oldest son of four children of Michael and Denise Kraynanski, Mike grew up in Cedar Grove where he currently resides with his girlfriend Eileen, a Cedar Grove Police Sergeant, and her three children.  He is actively involved in his town and is a 14 year veteran of the Cedar Grove Fire Dept. Center Co. #1.  Mike became a Security officer at UMDNJ in Newark in 2003 and was quickly promoted to police officer.  Following in the footsteps of his father, A Newark Police Detective, he was sent to the Essex County College Police Academy Class 04-02 where he served as the 2nd Platoon Leader.  He enjoyed a career with the UMDNJ Police Department where he was assigned to the Patrol Division and acted as a Firearms Instructor.  Mike has many interests outside of work that include hunting, fishing, scuba diving and boating. We were lucky to get someone with Mike’s experience as a police officer, understanding of a college community, a firearms instructor and his local knowledge.


ABOUT JUSTIN RIZZO
Justin grew up in Vernon and has lived there most of his life. As a young boy his father was injured in a fall and Justin’s entry into manhood needed to be accelerated. He was a great athlete but in order to help his family, which included his younger sister, mother and father, he stopped playing sports and found a job to help support his family.
He graduated from Vernon Township High School and attended college at County College of Morris where he received an Associate Degree in Business Administration.  He was accepted into the Passaic County Police Academy as an alternate route candidate paying his own way.  He attended the academy in June of 2010 and graduated in December of 2010 9th in his class.  His cousin is a NYPD officer and the stories and situations that were shared with Justin by his cousin were a big part of the reason as to why he wanted to become a Police Officer. 
As far as character and commitment they don’t get much better than this.

ABOUT JUSTIN MISANO
 Lived in Sayreville his entire life and graduated Sayreville High School in 2001.  He went on to Rutgers University where he graduated with a Journalism and Media Degree from the school of communications.  He worked as an editor for the NBA and MLB Network and won a sports Emmy as an editor with MLB Network last year.  Justin Graduated from Cape May County Police Academy in January of 2011.  His is a Family oriented person and stays active by going to the gym, playing baseball and softball.

ABOUT RETIREE SGT. ROBERT FORTUNATO (A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION WAS READ)

Rob is a lifelong Caldwell resident and attended University of Maryland where he played lacrosse.
Rob was hired to the Caldwell Police Department in August 1986 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2006. During his career he was a firearms Instructor for both the department and Essex County. He Represented Caldwell PD on the Essex County Rapid Deployment Team and was a Former State Delegate for West Essex PBA local 81. Prior to joining Caldwell, Rob was a special police officer for the Ocean City PD in Maryland. One of Rob’s passions is spending time in his new home state of North Carolina and coaching his daughter’s lacrosse team.
Rob is married to Debra and they have a daughter, Dominique (17 years old).

CLOSING REMARKS
For the past 2 years I have served on the public safety committee where I have had the opportunity to work with the police department. 2010 was a get to know year and 2011 was a get things done year. I was fortunate to have a father who was a councilman and spent 15 years as a police commissioner. He served over 3 decades in the 70’s , 80’s and 90’s and negotiating the PBA contracts many times was over our dining room table over a pot of coffee with a little kid sitting in the other room eavesdropping. Well things have changed a little since then but my respect for the police department which started long ago still remains stronger than ever.
During 2011 we hired 3 new officers, promoted a new chief, LT and 2 sergeants. We added a 2nd detective and created a Community officer position. We purchased 2 new vehicles, implemented E –ticket, finalized a new police contract, had the opportunity to interview 10 police officers for the position of Sgt and 4 Sgts for the position of LT. I have stated many times that the interview process was my most rewarding experience since being on the council.
The men and women that came before the interview committee were nothing short of polished professionals, who love their job, love this town and will share in the efforts to make this department a GREAT agency. Their pride, positive outlook and hard work will most definitely catapult us to one of the best agencies in the state.
It should be known that we did these promotions because we WANTED TO DO THEM not because we had to do them. The men and women of the Caldwell police department put their lives on the line every day and they have earned the right and respect to be treated this way.
2012 will be a very exciting year.
The police department will be focusing on our downtown area bringing new safety measures and a presence that will let shoppers and merchants know they are being looked after. The additional detective will allow much needed help in proactively investigating and stopping crime.
Our Sgts. will work in a rotation where their police and management skills will be put to the test in an environment that will allow them to interact with the officers and the community providing a great training ground for the next promotion level.
Our 3 new hires have already brought a great deal of enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
I am most proud and excited how the members of the department have now taken it upon themselves to keep morale high and make this agency their own. There has been a steady flow of ideas and suggestions that are being reviewed and implemented. Nothing will be kept off the table.
I stand before you a proud police commissioner, a grateful resident, and a husband and father that knows his family will be protected.
Ladies and gentlemen. …WE ARE CALDWELL