There were smiles all around when two newly promoted police officers and eight new police officers were sworn into office by Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert at a special ceremony that was held on Jan. 28.
A bagpiper set the tone for the ceremony when the Princeton Police Department police officers filed into the meeting room and took their places along the wall. The Princeton Police Department’s color guard followed.
In his welcoming remarks, Princeton Chief of Police Nicholas Sutter said that since the Princeton Borough and Princeton Township police departments were consolidated in 2013, steps have been taken toward a new leadership structure that would lead it into the 21st century.
The promotions of Captain Christopher Morgan and Corporal James Martinez are “two large strides” in that direction, Chief Sutter said. They have demonstrated the professionalism of the department and its core values – knowledge, honor, integrity and service, he said.
Captain Morgan joined the Princeton Township Police Department in 2000, after working for three years in the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. He rose through the ranks from patrol officer to corporal to sergeant to lieutenant, and was the Acting Chief of Police in the Princeton Township Police Department, Chief Sutter said.
Captain Morgan has received numerous service awards, including the Honorable Service Award and the Mercer County Volunteer of the Year Award from the Governor’s Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Chief Sutter said.
Corporal Martinez began his law enforcement career 25 years ago with the Princeton Borough Police Department, Chief Sutter said. He has served as a senior officer in charge for more than 17 years. He has received numerous awards, including the Exceptional Duty Award and the Meritorious Service Award.
Corporal Martinez served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, before becoming a police officer.
Turning to the new police officers, Chief Sutter said that choosing this career is a calling that carries “great burden and sacrifice” with it, but also “incredible satisfaction and honor.” Law enforcement is more complex and difficult than ever before, he said.
But law enforcement is only one aspect of what they will do over the next 30 years, Chief Sutter said. They will, at times, be called upon to act as a social worker, a mental health professional, a marriage counselor and even a mother, father, sister or brother in order to help someone in need of their assistance, he said.
“At some point in your career, you will save a life. Over 30 years, you will probably save more than one,” Chief Sutter said.
Those lifesaving actions may take many forms – from helping a suicidal person, to rescuing and reviving an accident victim, and possibly saving someone else’s life by putting their own life in jeopardy, he said.
“You will do any or all of these things because this is what you have been called to do and will be trained to do,” Chief Sutter said. That’s when they will fully understand the essence of public service, he said.
Then, Chief Sutter welcomed each new police officer into the Princeton Police Department and offered a brief biography of each the six men and two women who were sworn into office.
Officer Joseph Avanzato graduated from Rider University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and where he is seeking a master’s degree. He is a graduate of the Mercer County Police Academy.
Officer Erin Cipolloni will be graduating from William Paterson University and expects to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology in May. She completed an internship in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, where she studied police and investigation disciplines.
Officer Dante Focarelli is a graduate of Kean University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and also played football for four years. He earned the New Jersey Athletic Conference All Conference recognition.
Officer David Garcia is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He earned several awards during his military service, including the U.S. Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Officer Terry King earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Stockton University, and also studied abroad at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.
Officer McLean Lipschutz is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He graduated from the Gloucester County Police Academy.
Officer Rebecca Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Rowan University. She graduated from the Ocean County Class 1 Police Academy, and served as a Class 1 special police officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.
Officer Brandon Rios is a U.S. Navy veteran. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal law and business administration from The College of New Jersey.
Mayor Lempert wrapped up the swearing-in ceremony, telling each new police officer that it is very exciting and that “we are very happy to have you” as Princeton police officers.
