BAYONNE – Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that he has named Deputy Police Chief Ralph Scianni to be acting chief of the Bayonne Police Department, effective May 31. Scianni’s appointment as acting chief follows the retirement of Police Chief Robert Kubert, who had served as chief since 2004.
Although there was no official swearing in, the transition took place hours before Kubert was set to step down. “Scianni will serve until we determine who will be named as chief,” said Public Safety Director Jason O’Donnell.
At various times during the last eight years, Scianni served as acting chief when Chief Kubert was on vacation.
Mayor Smith said, “Acting Chief Scianni has had an outstanding police career. The depth and breadth of his experience will help ensure a smooth transition for the Bayonne Police Department.”
Acting Chief Scianni is a 32-year veteran of the Bayonne Police Department. He took his oath as a police officer on Sept. 6, 1980. He was promoted to sergeant in 1989, lieutenant in 1994, captain in 1997, and deputy chief in 2005. During his police career, Scianni has served in Uniformed Patrol, the Detective Bureau, and the Narcotics Squad. He has specialized in community policing, and served for eleven and a half years in the Community Oriented Policing (COP) Unit. His leadership of the COP program also included supervising the Cops In School Unit. As deputy chief, Scianni’s responsibilities included Uniformed Patrol and the Traffic Division.
Scianni is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Organization at St. Peter’s College, and a Master of Arts in Human Resources Training Development at Seton Hall University. He has participated in continuing education programs: the West Point Leadership and Command School, the community policing certificate program at Delaware State University, and the community policing training program at Michigan State University.
He is a New Jersey state-certified instructor in various policing programs, and a certified DARE instructor.
Scianni serves on the Fireworks Task Force in conjunction with the New York City Police Department. He has coordinated numerous grant programs for the Police Department. While he was a captain, Scianni chaired the Police Community Partnership Grant Committee. Currently, he is a member of the City of Bayonne’s Insurance Commission.
Scianni is the recipient of various awards from the Police Department. These include two Commendations, ten Excellent Police Service Awards, four Unit Citations, a Citation for 9-11, and a Valor Award for a fire rescue. Scianni has received a Meritorious Service Award from the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association, a Valor Award from the 200 Club of Hudson County, and awards from the Knights of Columbus and the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne.
Scianni is a lifelong Bayonne resident. His father, Angelo, is a decorated veteran of World War II. His late mother, Rose, was a homemaker. The acting chief is married to the former Judith Stewart. They have two sons, ages 17 and 20.