Police Officers Sworn in as Sergeants; Mayor Breaks Tie to Affirm Promotions

Police officers and their families filled the council chambers at the beginning of the mayor and council’s regular meeting Monday night as six police officers stood ready to take the oath of office and be promoted to the rank of sergeant. Their promotions become effective April 1. 

The sergeant's exam was administered on Feb. 29 and open to all candidates with a minimum of ten years of law enforcement service, eight served with the NMPD. 12 candidates took the test, with the top six selected for promotion. They are: 

John Moroney: With 24 years on the force, Moroney has worked in the Detective Bureau as well as patrol.

Det. Brian Long: Long began his law enforcement career with the NYPD before joining NMPD 17 years ago. He is currently serving in the Detective Bureau. 

Daniel LaMorges: A 12 year NMPD veteran, LaMorges came to NMPD from N.J. Transit Police. 

Brian Clancy: Clancy also began his career with NYPD before joining NMPD 11 years ago. 

Nicholas DiGenio: With 11 years on the force, DiGenio began his law enforcement career with the N.J. State Park Police and the N.J. Department of Corrections before joining NMPD. 

William Duby, Jr.: A 19 year veteran of NMPD, Duby has prior experience as a telecommunications operator with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Dept.

After administering the oath of office, Mayor Ann Subrizi thanked the families of the police department for all the sacrifices they make--the countless missed dinners, special occasions and family events. 

After handing the men their new sergeant shield, Chief Frank Papapietro said that all of the candidates are excellent police officers and a credit to their profession. 

"Today's officers are well-educated and up for the challenge," Papapietro said.

Of the six who were promoted to sergeant he said he enjoyed watching them evolve into the strong officers they are today. "I hired three of them, promoted two of them and was training officer to one of them."

Papapietro said that these six promotions to supervisory positions close a large gap in the level of supervision among the ranks.     

"These new sergeants, and the new Lieutenants promoted last month, represent the future of the New Milford Police Department."  

When it came time to affirm the promotions, Democratic council members Randi Duffie, Austin Ashley and Hedy Grant cast a "no" vote.

Citing budgetary concerns, Duffie said that the promotions "put undue stress on the budget." 

Ashley also cited budget concerns and added, "I don't feel that we can promote at the volume we have in the last few months."

Council President Howard Berner voted yes, but stated that if previous councils had dealt with the vacancies in rank, the borough would not have to be making so many promotions in such a short period of time. 

"Previous councils could have [made promotions] prudently," Berner said. 

Subrizi broke the tie by voting yes, passing the resolution to affirm the six promotions to sergeant.