In February, Detectives Ramos, Quinones, Mallqui, and Ferreiras successfully arrested two suspects wanted in connection to the gunpoint robbery of a juvenile. After receiving descriptions of the suspects, they were able to identify them close to the scene of the crime and apprehended them after a brief foot pursuit. Additionally, they recovered the firearm allegedly used in the crime. Thanks to their dedication, skill, and professionalism, this case was solved and a firearm was taken off the streets. For their efforts they have been named the February 2025 Officers of the Month.

In January, Officer Pedro Borrero successfully deescalated a situation where a person in crisis locked themselves in a bedroom with a box cutter. He was able to convince the individual to leave the room on their own unarmed. Thanks to his professionalism and sound judgement, a situation that could have ended in violence did not. For his efforts, Officer Borrero has been named the January 2025 Officer of the Month.

In December, Officer Luis Gonzalez was working at St. Joseph’s Medical Center when he encountered a man acting erratically, who then produced a knife during the incident. Officer Gonzalez immediately isolated the individual, and was able to deescalate the situation while awaiting the arrival of assisting officers. Upon the arrival of additional officers, Officer Gonzalez was able to take the man into custody, ending a potentially violent situation peacefully. For his bravery and quick, decisive action, Officer Gonzalez has been named the December 2024 Officer of the Month.

In November, Detectives Kerick Campbell, Eliana Dominguez, and Ivan Hicks of the Juvenile Unit investigated a criminal mischief incident with very little evidence. Using old-fashioned police work, which included interviews, canvassing, and a lot of foot work, they were able to establish the identity of all three offenders and connect them to a burglary that happened the same night. Thanks to their dedication, Detectives Campbell, Dominguez, and Hicks have been named the November 2024 Officers of the Month.

Detective Nick O’Leary has worked tirelessly on recent robberies in order to identify suspects and bring them to justice. Thanks to his work, Paterson residents are safer. For his outstanding dedication and incredible investigative work, Det. O’Leary has been named the October 2024 Officer of the Month.

In the month of September Captain Steven Rooney saved a person in crisis. He responded to the scene and rendered aid until an ambulance arrived to take the person to the hospital. Thanks to his quick action a life was saved. Additionally in the month, he was instrumental in maintaining order in the hours following the Dominican Parade. Because of his heroic efforts and going above and beyond the call of duty, Capt. Rooney has been named the September 2024 Officer of the Month.

In August of 2024, Detective Brian Culmone located a stolen vehicle within the city of Paterson recovering a semi-automatic handgun and an AR-style rifle. Also in August, Det. Culmone assisted in the apprehension of several individuals wanted for serious crimes in the city. For his outstanding police work, Det. Culmone has been named the August Officer of the Month.

Since its inception, the Nightlife Task Force has worked tirelessly to stem the violence and quality of life issues coming out of after-hours activities and illegal nightclubs in Paterson. In the month of July alone, they have prevented countless incidents related to illegal nightlife activities, conducted surveillance and inspections at nearly 60 businesses and locations, made 44 arrests, and seized four vehicles used for illegal alcohol sales and deliveries. For their efforts the members of the Nightlife Task Force have been named the July 2024 Officers of the Month.

Detective Sergeants Troy Allen and James DiPiazza have made great improvements to achieving excellence within the Paterson Police Department through their roles in the Internal Affairs Unit. As supervisors, they work hard to make sure the officers of PPD exceed the standards we all expect of our police department. Thanks to their tireless dedication, PPD is an even more professional organization today than ever before, and Sergeants Allen and DiPiazza have been named the June 2024 Officers of the Month.

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In May of 2024 Detectives Kerick Campbell and Eliana Dominguez were investigating an incident involving a juvenile suspect. When they went to his school to take him into custody, they discovered a loaded firearm on his person and took the weapon as evidence. Thanks to their diligence, attention to detail, and hard work they were able to make get a firearm out of the school and off of the streets. For that, Detectives Dominguez and Campbell have been named the May 2024 Officer of the Month.

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In April of 2024 Detective Joehan Suarez of the Shooting Investigation Unit was able to bring eight suspects into custody as part of two separate shooting investigations. He and his partner were also able to finish out 2023 with nearly 80% of their cases solved. Thanks to his incredible detective work and tireless dedication, eight individuals were charged with shootings on the streets of Paterson and Detective Suarez has been named the April 2024 Officer of the Month. #PPDNextGen

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In March of 2024 Officer Nelson Paez investigated the hit and run of a young girl that left her seriously injured. Through his investigation he was able to identify a suspect and arrest him in connection to the crime. Additionally, he successfully arrested a suspect in another hit and run in February that left another female juvenile injured. Thanks to his outstanding efforts, two individuals were charged for injuring children on the streets of Paterson and Officer Paez has been named the March 2024 Officer of the Month.

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In February of 2024 Officer Daniel Driscoll responded to a call where an individual was in possession of a firearm. He and other officers safely took the individual into custody without incident and recover the gun. Later in the month, Officer Driscoll responded to a report of an armed robbery, with one of the suspects matching the description of an individual on the department’s most wanted list. He and another officer arrested the suspect without incident. Thanks to his vigilance and courage in the face of danger, he was able to take a gun and two violent individuals off the streets of Paterson. For his efforts, he has been named the February 2024 Officer of the Month.

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In January of 2024, Sgt. Sean Reed of the Paterson Police Department’s Traffic Unit coordinated road closures, traffic escorts, and overall logistics for the Funeral of Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. On top of his regular duties of overseeing the Traffic Unit day to day operations and traffic grants, he worked alongside city, county and state agencies so ensure everything was taken care of outside of the Cathedral. For the countless hours he put into such a large-scale operation while successfully completing other assignments Sgt. Reed has been named the Paterson Police Department’s January 2024 Officer of the month. #PPDNextGen

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In December of 2023 Officer Nigel Burgess and Officer Ikmet Shej responded to a call of suspicious persons with weapons. When they got out of their patrol vehicle they saw two suspects who began to run and then split up.  During the subsequent foot pursuit, both suspects were apprehended and a gun was recovered from one of them.  For their incredible bravery in the face of danger and getting a firearm and two suspects off the streets of Paterson, Officers Shej and Burgess have been named the Paterson Police Department’s December Officers of the Month.

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In November of 2023 Officer Sandy Valera and Officer Noel Irizarry were responding to a call when they heard gunshots. They exited their patrol vehicle and saw a suspect running towards them who they were able to arrest without incident and recovered a firearm. For their dedication and vigilance in the face of danger they have been named the Paterson Police Department’s November Officers of the Month.

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