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Kearny swears in six new officers; council confirms promotions to lieutenant and sergeant ranks
Summary
The council and police chief presided over swearing-in and promotion resolutions: six academy graduates were sworn in and multiple officers were promoted to lieutenant and sergeant positions with specified effective dates and annual salaries noted in council resolutions.
The Town of Kearny swore in six police officers who recently graduated from the Bergen County Police Academy and ratified a series of personnel resolutions promoting officers into permanent lieutenant and sergeant positions.
Police leadership and the mayor conducted a public swearing-in for newly hired officers Melissa Toth, Khan (Kant) Soo Allen, Jocelyn Cazares, Juan Cadiz, Christopher Aguilar and Declan Walsh. Chief remarks at the meeting said the recruits completed a 23‑week academy course and will enter an eight‑week field training program.
Council action ratified several personnel resolutions. Council moved and approved resolutions to appoint Thomas Pontrello and Adriana (Adriano/Adrianna in some references) Marks to permanent lieutenant positions effective 02/01/2025 at an annual salary listed in the resolutions as $160,001, certified by NJCSC certification PL250059 (Resolutions 88 and 89). The council also approved multiple resolutions promoting officers to sergeant and permanent positions (Resolutions 90–93), with listed annual salaries in the resolutions (for example $130,060 for some sergeant appointments and $134,706 for others) and NJCSC certification numbers shown in the documents.
Councilmembers formally moved the named resolutions during the business portion of the meeting and recorded affirmative votes. Several promotions included brief biographical remarks from the chief about each promotee’s prior service, schooling, assignments and awards.
The minutes and public statements recorded these employment details: the newly graduated officers are entering the department’s field training program; promoted lieutenants have served in patrol and community policing roles for years; promoted sergeants include officers with prior detective and investigative assignments. The meeting packet listed the certification numbers and effective dates that the council relied on in voting.
Several councilmembers publicly congratulated the newly sworn officers and promoted supervisors. No substantive controversy or public opposition to the personnel actions appeared in the public record; most council remarks were congratulatory.
The council approved the resolutions by roll call or voice vote as recorded in the meeting file; the promotions and appointments will be implemented per the effective dates and payroll instructions in the resolutions.
