Over 60 people, mostly family members, packed the cramped confines of the West New York municipal courtroom last week to witness the promotion of three veteran West New York police to the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant.
The ceremony was presided over by West New York Mayor Albio Sires, who, since the beginning of his administration, has been instrumental in reshaping the tarnished image of the West New York police. In 1999, the department was rocked by scandal when a number of officers were indicted for receiving kickbacks. Sires has been thanked by various police officials in public on many occasions for his support of the police department and for providing the funds necessary to keep the department running and outfitted properly.
West New Detective Michael Clement, who is also the president of the West New York local Policeman’s Benevolent Association (PBA), delivered the invocation, also known as "The Policeman’s Prayer," at the ceremony. It reads in part, "O Almighty God …watch over all law enforcement officers. Protect them from harm in the performance of their duty to stop crime, robberies, riots and violence. …We recommend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous."
In his first official duty as Director of Public Safety (he replaced commissioner Sal Vega who is now Director of Parks and Recreation), Commissioner Lawrence Riccardi welcomed the assembled crowd and especially the three officers Tuesday. "With these promotions," Riccardi said, "the West New York Police Department is now the best police department in the state. These officer’s families have sacrificed and the officers have studied hard."
Added Police Director Joseph Pelliccio, "I thank Mayor Sires for getting the funds for the Police Department, and as for the officers, I know how hard it is to endure the trials of testing and to endure the wait until everything falls into place for the promotion."
According to one of the officers, "The testing is a tough process. You lock yourself in a basement for three months and study. It’s tough."
The procedure for promotion in most police departments is a somewhat ambiguous thing. According to police sources, it consists of a series of written and oral tests, a close examination of performance over the years, and types of arrests made. Also, each officer must wait until a position is open to be filled, which usually means waiting until a senior officer retires. Needless to say, it sometimes helps to be in the good graces of "the powers that be."
The officers
Police Officer Patrick Culhane was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. A lifelong resident of West New York and a 19-year veteran of the West New York Police Department, Culhane graduated from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City and from Rutgers University with a degree in Business Administration.
Officer Kevin Williams was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Williams began his police career in 1978 and, like Lieutenant Culhane, is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. He was graduated from Jersey City State College, now known as New Jersey City University.
According to Police Director Joseph Pelliccio, Williams began his policing career assigned to a walking beat, where he served for five years. He then moved on to the patrol unit and has served two non-consecutive terms as local PBA President.
Police Officer Joseph Cocciadiferro, the youngest of the group of promoted officers, began his career in 1986, joining the police department at the young age of 19. He is a 17-year veteran of the department.
Sires hints at police headquarters
In his keynote speech, West New York Mayor Albio Sires said, "You all earned this, and I am so proud of this department’s turnaround, which is due directly to men like yourselves."
The mayor then made an announcement that drew hearty applause from the assembled crowd, which consisted mainly of police officers and their families. Said Sires, "It always seemed to me that the Police Department was in the basement. I believe you should have a better place, and you will. So, I am announcing that I am currently working on plans to build a new library across the street that will house a brand new police headquarters."
Details remained sketchy at press time, but generally, when Sires makes a public announcement pertaining to town building projects, they inevitably get done.
In a post-ceremony interview, Sires was effusive in his support of the promoted officers.
Said Sires, "Well, this fills the ratio of supervisors to police officers. We’re now at 34 supervisors and 123 police officers. These officers were number one on the list for promotion and they deserved it. They are promotions well deserved."
New Sgt. Joseph Cocciadiferro perhaps summed up the feeling of the evening best when he stated, "This means everything to me. It means the world to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity they are giving me."
Added Cocciadiferro, "I have seen a lot of changes over the years. Unfortunately, I also saw all the federal stuff. But it’s so different now. Stating early like I did, I was able to relate to the younger community."
At the ceremony, Commissioner Riccardi also made reference to his taking over the job of commissioner of Public Safety. He said, "I hope I can do as good a job a Sal [Vega]."