The Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) held its first Police Recognition Ceremony at City Hall yesterday, honoring officers for their work including taking guns off the street and solving shooting investigations at a high rate, among other accolades.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
Mayor James Solomon, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, and Police Chief Robert Kearns hosted the ceremony in the council chambers at City Hall.
There, JCPD honored sworn officers, three specialized units, all four police districts, two individual officers, and eight civilian employees for “outstanding service and measurable contributions to public safety.”
“For too many years, the men and women of the Jersey City Police Department have shown up to every shift, every call, through every storm and every holiday without the recognition they deserved. We are changing that today,” Solomon said in a statement.
“This is the first Jersey City Police Department Recognition Ceremony, and we had the honor of recognizing units and districts who get guns off the street, de-escalate dangerous situations, and go beyond the call of duty. To every officer and civilian member recognized today – thank you.”
Officials said that the honorees have driven specific public safety outcomes across the city.
For example, 21 illegal firearms were seized this year by the Street Crimes Unit, there is a nearly 100 percent clearance rate on shooting investigations by the Cease Fire Unit, and three barricaded-person-in-crisis incidents were resolved peacefully by the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) without use of force.
The Street Crimes Unit, led by Capt. Dennis Winters, was recognized for proactive plain-clothes enforcement targeting the most dangerous offenders in the city.
The Cease Fire Unit, led by Lt. Jose Santana, was recognized for an extraordinary and nearly unprecedented clearance rate on shooting investigations, “removing some of the most dangerous offenders from city streets and preventing additional acts of violence.”
The Emergency Services Unit, led by Capt. Jeffrey Gajewski, was recognized for responding to the department’s “most complex and dangerous calls.”
“Each of the sworn officers, units, districts, and civilians recognized today has demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and service beyond the call of duty,” added Ambrose.
“Whether they are responding to violence, answering a 911 call, supporting officers in the field, helping children cross the street safely, or serving residents directly, their work makes Jersey City safer.”
All four JCPD police districts were also recognized for the everyday work of patrol officers responding to domestic violence calls, missing persons cases, serious accidents, and quality-of-life complaints in neighborhoods across the city.
This includes: the East District under Capt. Frank Laraway, the North District under Capt. Ian Gallagher, the West District under Capt. Joe Olszewski, and the South District under Capt. Michael Hulings.
Further, Lt. Travis Ragland, who is in charge of the traffic bureau, was recognized for his leadership, availability at all hours, and willingness to assume responsibilities well beyond those typically expected of a lieutenant.
Timothy Lawrence, of the Office of Emergency Management, was recognized for supporting both police and fire response, deploying OEM mobile cameras/command systems, as well as serving as a drone operator during snow emergencies, major incidents, and large city events.
“Police work is a team effort, and that team extends far beyond the officers on the street. Our officers rely on strong units, strong districts, skilled dispatchers, call takers, civilian staff, and community-facing employees who help support this department every day,” noted Kearns.
“Today’s recognition reflects the dedication, discipline, and pride that define the Jersey City Police Department.”
Additionally, eight civilian employees were recognized for their essential contributions to public safety operations.
They are 911 dispatchers Charles Melley and Jessica Rodriguez; 911 call takers Yolanda Dominguez and Sharon Curtis; information technology Simon Le; parking enforcement Lyndsey Dore; school crossing guard Sultan Goodman; and One Stop Shop’s Jesenia Iscoa.
Following the recognition ceremony, Solomon, Ambrose, and Kearns participated in a Memorial Ceremony at the Jersey City Police Memorial Statue on Montgomery Street to honor members of the Jersey City Police Department who were killed in the line of duty.
The ceremony included a wreath laying, a reading of the names of fallen officers, a moment of silence, and the playing of “Taps.”
The city also presented a plaque to the Exchange Place Alliance in recognition of its partnership with the Jersey City PD, including its support in relocating the historic police memorial statue to its current location.
