“This is a very emotional day for me,” said newly sworn-in Jersey City Police Chief Ronald Buonocore Tuesday afternoon, as he shook hands with a long line of well-wishers. The hour-long ceremony was held in the City Council chambers in City Hall and was attended by Buoncore’s family and nearly 100 police officers. Buonocore will be the first Italian-American police chief of Jersey City.
“Ron Buonocore is living out the dream of every police officer,” commented Mayor Glenn Cunningham. “The dream of one day being chief.”
Cunningham said that Buonocore was taking over the police department at good time in the department’s history.
“I wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Jersey City Police is the best department in the state,” Cunningham said. “Ron is going to have the job making it better.”
A native of Jersey City, Buonocore joined the Jersey City Police Department in 1973, having served as a law enforcement officer in Norwalk, Conn. the year before. Buonocore was a community relations officer before being made a sergeant in 1989. In 1997, Buonocore was made a lieutenant, a rank he held until his retirement in 2001.
Buonocore was named the head of the Jersey City Public Works Department after his retirement and served in that position until last month.
“I am sad at leaving the public works department,” said Buonocore, after being sworn in by Cunningham. Buonocore was joined in the ceremony by his wife Laura. Buonocore also marked the transition of office from retiring chief Peter Behrens.
“I walked my first beat with Peter Behrens,” Buonocore stated. “He taught me how to twirl a nightstick. Now the baton has been passed to me.”
The Buonocore family has a history with the Jersey City Police Department. Buonocore’s brother, Dennis, retired as a 25-year veteran of the department with the rank of lieutenant. Tragically, in 1973, a second brother, Caspar, was killed by a suspect police were pursuing.
“Having lost a brother in the line of duty has made this day special for me,” Buonocore stated.
Police Director James Carter noted Buonocore’s strong ties to the community would help him in his new position.
“Chief Ronald Buonocore has already developed strong person-to-person relationships with community leaders throughout Jersey City,” said Carter. “He will establish a practice of informal dialogue with the community that will provide police with substantial information in dealing with quality-of-life problems that affect the neighborhoods of Jersey City.”
Carter added that there were many challenges that come with the promotion to chief, but that Buonocore could handle them.
“I have known Ron Buonocore long enough to know he is a can-do person,” Carter stated.
Buonocore was decorated by the police department in 1976 when he rescued a despondent man who was threatening suicide. During his time on the force, Buonocore served in the South District, Special Patrol Bureau’s Investigation Division and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Unit.
Along with his law enforcement efforts, Buonocore made his mark in labor relations. He negotiated contracts and handled grievance and arbitration procedures for the Police Officers’ Benevolent Association from 1977 to 1985. With his promotion to sergeant, Buonocore was the head of the Police Superior Officers Association. He held the position from 1995 to 2001.
“In the POBA and PSOA, Ron Buonocore was a leader among his peers,” said Cunningham. “To be chosen to represent your peers is a great honor, indeed. Ron Buonocore is a proven leader who can move the police department into the new millennium.”
Speaking about the immediate plans for the police department, Buonocore touched on new building projects for the police force.
“The plans for a new police department on Communipaw Avenue near the KFC are 50 percent complete,” said Buonocore. “This will help us keep crime down in the area.”
Buonocore believes his experience with the Public Works Department will be benefit for him as the new chief of police.
“One advantage I have coming over from Public Works,” Buonocore said. “I see a lot of the city’s problems as far as buildings and construction.”
Buonocore added that he would continue with the “Fixing Broken Windows” policy the police department has been working on in the past few years.
“Quality-of-life issues will be very important for us,” Buonocore said.