Newly Promoted Fort Lee Police Officers Take Oaths of Office

It was standing room only at Borough Hall’s council chambers Thursday evening, where police officers and their families packed council chambers at the beginning of the mayor and council’s regular meeting. The first item on the agenda was the ceremonial oaths of office, badge ceremony and police department promotions.

Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli presented gold shields to two detectives and Mayor Mark Sokolich administered the oaths of office to two newly promoted captains, three lieutenants and five sergeants.

Prior to turning the ceremonies over to Ripoli, Sokolich spoke about recently wounded Paramus police officer Rachel Morgan.

“I would like to say on behalf of the entire governing body, the borough of Fort Lee and every single one of our residents that we wish Godspeed and health to the officer in Paramus who was recently injured while on duty,” Sokolich said. “Our prayers are with her.”

Echoing Sokolich’s remarks about Morgan, Ripoli called the wounded officer a “hero.”

“When you wear a police uniform, you are always a potential target,” Ripoli said. “Although we take precautions, we all realize the possible danger involved when we take the oath of office."

Ripoli went on to talk about some of the changes the Fort Lee Police Department has been through over the past year.

“At this time last year, I never thought 20 officers would retire, which resulted in the loss of 500 years of experience,” he said, noting that among the retiring officers, 11 were supervisors, including one deputy chief, three captains, three lieutenants and four sergeants.

He said that during the same period, many government officials “did the popular thing by making personnel cuts and layoffs and demotions within their police departments.”

Speaking of what he sees as a lack of respect for the work police officers do—one of the themes of his remarks—Ripoli said he believes the general public is often “misinformed,” resulting in a feeling of “contempt” for police among some, a development he called “a disgrace, insulting and shameful.”

“We understand there are problems, issues and confusion throughout the state,” he said. “But all we are asking for is a little respect and to be treated like the professionals that we are and not the criminals that we arrest. It seems that everyone has conveniently forgotten that when people were running down the stairs of the World Trade Center during 911, police officers and fire fighters were running up the stairs.”

Ripoli then lauded the mayor and council for “doing the right thing” by promoting the officers Thursday.

 “[The governing body] demand that their police department performed at a high standard and realize some structure had to be restored to the supervisory positions,” he said. “I consider the Fort Lee Police Department to be the best in the state of New Jersey, and with these promotions, you’ve made us a little bit better.”

Promoted at Thursday’s meeting were the following Fort Lee police officers:

Promoted to Captain

Stephen Gallagher, former Marine and member of the Fort Lee VFW.
Keith Bendul, founder of the New Jersey Association of Law Enforcement Background Investigators.

Promoted to Lieutenant

Patrick Kissane, honored in 2007 as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Danny Zusi, longtime award winner currently working on his master’s degree.
Scott Bendul, in his 25th year of service with the FLPD.

Promoted to Sergeant

Matthew Hintze, born and raised in Fort Lee and a officer with the FLPD since 2002.
Steve No, who has been with the FLPD since 1999.
Ricky Mirkovic, a Fort Lee native and officer with the FLPD since 2003.
Greg Boylan, a US Veteran and member of the Fort Lee VFW.
Thomas Provenzano, born and raised in Fort Lee, and former recipient of the American Police Hall of Fame Lifesaving Award.

Receiving gold shields from the Chief were Detectives Sean Hunt and Tom Porto.