Mayor Davis and Police Department leaders congratulate new captains and lieutenants: At a promotion ceremony in the Dorothy Harrington Council Chambers, new police captains and lieutenants took their oaths of office, which were administered by City Clerk Robert F. Sloan. Pictured left to right: Deputy Police Chief Peter Nevins, Police Chief Drew Sisk, Captain Paul Jamolawicz, Captain Anthony Maddalone, Captain Robert Ryan, Captain Matthew Dugan, Lieutenant James Whitaker, Lieutenant Stephanie Burt-Schiraldi, Lieutenant Timothy McAuliffe, Lieutenant Michael Valdora, Lieutenant James Ashe, Mayor James Davis, and Deputy Police Chief Robert Geisler.

On Thursday, February 8, the City of Bayonne held a promotion ceremony for four new police captains and five new police lieutenants.

They all attained their new ranks by excelling in competitive examinations that were administered by the state.

The ceremony took place in the Dorothy
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Jimmy Davis described the event as “a proud moment.” He noted “the dedication it takes to attain these ranks.” Mayor Davis recalled his own career as a police officer, and reminded the promoted officers that he had “worked alongside you for twenty-eight years.” He thanked the police families for the sacrifices they made while the future captains and lieutenants were studying for their examinations.

Public Safety Director Robert Kubert, a retired Police Chief, remarked that he had been present when the new captains and lieutenants were sworn in as new police officers. He said that each promoted officer “has performed admirably and with dedication.” Kubert called them “a great group of individuals.”

Police Chief Drew Sisk thanked Director Kubert, Mayor Davis, and the City Council for recognizing the need for police promotions. He thanked Mayor Davis for his “ongoing commitment to safety and security.” Chief Sisk told the promoted officers that he has “every confidence” in them, and said that their promotions are “a reward for a job well done.”

Speaking on behalf of the entire City Council, City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski congratulated the promotees for their “hard work.” She said, “We have a great police department. No doubt, you will continue to make us proud.”

Captain Matthew Dugan was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on September 1, 2000. During his time with the Police Department, he has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Special Investigations Unit, and the Community Oriented Policing Unit. Captain Dugan was promoted to Sergeant in 2007, and Lieutenant in 2013. He is the recipient of four Commendations, five Excellent Police Service Awards, and one Meritorious Service Award. He is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep and Montclair State University, where he earned a degree in Political Science, with a minor in Pre-Law.

Captain Robert Ryan was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on July 12, 1999, and has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Cops in School Unit, and, most recently, to the Planning and Training Unit, which he has headed. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2007, and Lieutenant in 2013. He is the recipient of three Commendations, six Excellent Police Service Awards, one Meritorious Police Service Award, and one Unit Citation. He is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep and St. Peter’s University, where he earned a degree in Sociology.

Captain Anthony Maddalone was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on January 12, 1994, and has served the department in the Patrol Division, the Community Oriented Policing Unit, and the Cops in School Unit. For seven years, he was assigned to the Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Agency’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2002, and Lieutenant in 2013. He is the recipient of three Commendations and three Excellent Police Service Awards. He has been recognized by the 200 Club of Hudson County for bravery, and by the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Agency for meritorious service. He is a graduate of Rutgers University, where he majored in Criminal Justice.

Captain Paul Jamolawicz was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on August 26, 1985. He has been assigned to the Patrol division, the Detective Bureau the Narcotics Unit, and the Internal Affairs Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1999, and to Lieutenant in 2013. He is the recipient of three Commendations and seven Excellent Police Service Awards. Captain Jamolawicz is a graduate of New Jersey City University, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.

Lieutenant James Whitaker was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on May 26, 1998. He has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Cops in School Unit, Technical Services, and the Planning and Training Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2012. He is the recipient of two Excellent Police Service Awards, one Meritorious Police Service Award, and one Unit Citation. Lieutenant Whitaker has served honorably for over twenty-six years in the United States Navy Reserves, where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He has been deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. He graduated from New Jersey City University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He received a Master of Arts in Education degree from Seton Hall University.

Lieutenant Stephanie Burt-Schiraldi was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on January 13, 1994, and has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Traffic Enforcement Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, the Detective Bureau, the Juvenile Aid Bureau, and the Community Oriented Policing Unit. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2005. She is the recipient of thirteen Excellent Police Service Awards, and five Meritorious Service Awards. Lieutenant Burt-Schiraldi is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in Psychology. She is studying currently at Bergen County Community College, working towards an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology. Lieutenant Burt-Schiraldi is a nearly twenty-year member of the Bayonne Police Honor Guard.

Lieutenant Timothy McAuliffe was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on August 9, 1994, and has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Community Oriented Policing Unit, the Auto Theft Unit, the Street Crimes Unit, and the Juvenile Aid Bureau. He has served on such assignments as the Municipal Task Force and the Auto Theft Task Force. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2005. He is the recipient of one Departmental Valor Award, four Commendations, ten Excellent Police Service Awards, and one Unit Citation. Additionally, Lieutenant McAuliffe has been honored with two State PBA Valor Awards, recognized by the 200 Club of Hudson County for bravery, and has been recognized by both the American Legion and the Bayonne Police Emerald Society as Police Officer of the Year. A graduate of Marist High School, he attended Seton Hall University before joining the Bayonne Police Department.

Lieutenant Michael Valdora was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on September 30, 1990, and has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Cops in School Unit, the Internal Affairs Unit, and the Communications Division. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2005. He is the recipient of two Excellent Police Service Awards, one Meritorious Police Service Award, and one Unit Citation. A graduate of Marist High School, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 to 1986.

Lieutenant James Ashe was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department on March 21, 1988. During his time with the department, he has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Community Oriented Policing Unit, and the Detective Bureau. He has also served as the department’s Municipal Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2005. He has received two commendations and four Excellent Police Service Awards. Lieutenant Ashe is the current President of the Bayonne Police Superior Officers Association.