NORTH BERGEN – Mayor Nicholas Sacco swore in four new police recruits on Nov. 10 prior to the Board of Commissioners meeting, accompanied by a room full of friends, family, and officials from North Bergen and surrounding municipalities.
Although the town budget initially called for only three hires, funds were made available for a fourth based on township need and the exemplary interviews from all four recruits. “It’s phenomenal that we keep increasing our numbers here while most townships are decreasing their numbers,” said Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual.
All four new recruits have backgrounds in law enforcement. Indira Cabrera, 28, and Daniel Rodriguez, 26, have both been corrections officers with the Hudson County Department of Corrections for three and a half years. Cabrera just began attending the Passaic County Police Academy while Rodriguez will be graduating from the Morris County Police Academy in a few weeks. Rodriguez was recently hired by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department before joining the North Bergen police.
Eric Weyand, 25, worked as a special police officer and dispatcher with the Cliffside Park Police Department. He will be attending the Passaic County Police Academy beginning in January. Michael Whalen, 23, previously interned for the North Bergen Police Department while earning his bachelor’s degree from New Jersey City University.
“The township has really made a commitment to public safety,” said Police Chief Robert Dowd. “We continue to grow in number and diversity, and we continue to supply the township with the very best protection.”
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