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Livingston swears in five police officers as chief reports steep drops in vehicle thefts and pursuits
Summary
Five officers were sworn into the Livingston Police Department July 28, 2026. Police Chief Gary Marshoots told the council year-to-date stolen-vehicle reports fell from 35 in 2023 to 5 and vehicle pursuits from 55 to 6, crediting staffing increases and new technology.
Mayor Klein opened the July 28 meeting and turned the floor over to Police Chief Gary Marshoots for a promotions ceremony and department update. "We had 35 stolen motor vehicles in 2023. This year, so far, we have 5," Marshoots said, and reported pursuits involving Livingston officers fell from 55 in 2023 to 6 in 2026 to date.
Marshoots attributed the declines to a larger patrol force, mentoring from senior officers, and new technology including updated dispatch, body cameras and automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). He said the department hired 13 officers across 2025–2026 (three hiring processes) and highlighted community programs such as Coffee with a Cop and the Junior Police Academy.
The chief also noted upgrades to the dispatch center (not updated in over 20 years), a new outside-duty contractor to manage secondary assignments, and a new performance-evaluation process for first-line supervisors. Marshoots cautioned that some categorical breakdowns were still being finalized in his notes and said a written copy of the statistics would be provided to the council for review.
Five officers were sworn in during the ceremony. Officer Alicia Angelo (degrees from Rutgers and Fairleigh Dickinson) was sworn and received her badge from a family member. Officer Tristan Whitehead (Ramapo College; Cape May Police Academy) recited the oath and was welcomed to the patrol division. Officer Moshe Naqvi (Essex County Police Academy) and Officer Owen Mueller (Scranton University; master’s in cybersecurity) also took the oath. Officer Sergio Cunha, a U.S. Marine veteran with prior assignment alongside the Secret Service and prior service in East Newark, completed the group. After each oath the council joined the officers for a group photograph.
Mayor Klein thanked Chief Marshoots for "steady leadership over so many decades," and the council praised the department’s recruitment and community work. The chief said continued focus will include pedestrian, cyclist and school safety, and enforcement of new e-bike policies.
