Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss and Council President Charnette Frederic, along with Police Director Tracy Bowers and Police Chief Michael Chase, joined Irvington residents as well as families and friends of the 7 police officers who were promoted and 11 recruits who were sworn into the ranks, at a ceremony on Tuesday, October 20.
“I promised the residents, businesses, and visitors to Irvington that I would work to make the township cleaner and safer,” said Mayor Vauss. “With the help of the Township Council, we have been able to make great strides in both areas. Today we are promoting 7 of our finest to the rank of Sergeant. We are also welcoming and swearing in 11 new officers who just completed the Academy.”
In her keynote remarks, Council President Charnette Frederic commended the Mayor for a job “well done”. She also stated, “Irvington is a great place to be. Now when I go around the town, I hear ‘thank you’ instead of being challenged.”
The seven officers who were promoted to the rank of Sergeant were: Douglas Polk; Ana Perez; Taj Jackson; Tiffany Charles; Jerry Ramos; Akilah Jenkins; and, Sheyla Marquez-Zepeda. Four of those receiving promotions were women.
The seven officers who were promoted to the rank of Sergeant were: Douglas Polk; Ana Perez; Taj Jackson; Tiffany Charles; Jerry Ramos; Akilah Jenkins; and, Sheyla Marquez-Zepeda. Four of those receiving promotions were women.
The recruits who were sworn in, were: Darrell Lewis; James Dorval; Dwight Jackson, Jr.; Sidney Barnes; Amiri Ricketts; Darrell Perry; Kabierah Outlaw; Zhane Morgan; Peter Rosemy; Edwin Pierre; and, Jeannette King. Three of the 11 new officers are women.
Chief Michael Chase remarked that in his 41 years of service on the police force, more police officers and fire fighters have been hired by Mayor Vauss in his first year than in all of the Chief’s 41 years. He shared that there are 9 more candidates waiting to enter the Academy.
Irvington’s Business Administrator, Musa Malik, who served as the acting Police Director for several months, congratulated the police. “I thank you for sacrificing your lives in lieu of mine.”
For information please contact Stephanie Bush-Baskette at sbush-baskette@irvingtonnj.org or 862-216-7254.