UNION CITY — A swearing-in ceremony will be held for Brian Barrett as he assumes the position of Union City’s official chief of police on Friday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. in the Union City High School auditorium at 2500 Kennedy Blvd. The ceremony is open to the public.
Brian Barrett, 53, is a life-long, fifth generation Union City resident. After graduating from the former St. Joseph’s of the Palisades High School in 1976, he began working as a volunteer auxiliary police officer in North Bergen on his 18th birthday.
Barrett moved on to work as a Union City public safety operator and dispatcher for three years, after which he was hired from the civil service list as a police officer and began patrol. In 1987 he was assigned to the detective bureau, and in 1991 he was promoted to sergeant.
He moved his way through the ranks from lieutenant to captain, received numerous valor awards and commendations from agencies including the FBI, County Prosecutor, and Port Authority Police, and was eventually appointed as acting police chief in October of last year after former Chief Charles Everett resigned.