Paramus Welcomes New Police Officers, Promotes Six Others

Tuesday was a big night for the Paramus Police Department.

In addition to the swearing in of its six of its members were officially promoted and the department welcomed four new recently hired officers.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera conducted the swearing in of Detective Lt. Robert Olive, Detective Sgt. John Toohey, Detective Sgt. John Devine, Detective Sgt. Richard Menhinick, Detective Sgt. Robert Vonschalschna and Detective Sgt. Frank Scott.

Joshua Capizzi, Anthony Mordaga, Michael Mullay and Jon Umanzor were officially hired Tuesday night  as the four newest police officers of the department, effective June 26, each at an annual salary of $39,891. Each one was formally sworn in by the Mayor.

Mullay is a member of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department and has been an officer of the Ridgefield Park Police Department for the past six years.

Capizzi is also a member of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department and has previously served as a NJ Transit officer for the past two years.

Modaga is a graduate of Paramus High School previously was an investigator of the Bergen County Sheriff's Department for the past two years.

Umanzor perviously served with the Montvale Police Department for the past two years.

The governing body agreed earlier this month to hire four new officers to add to the ranks of the department which has stressed the need for more manpower. Recent retirements and a previous hiring freeze had shrunken the department down by more than 2 dozen officers.

Councilwoman Maria Elena Bellinger, who serves as Police Commissioner, stressed the great need for these new officers just based on statistics alone which show the department answered nearly 5,000 calls, made 65 arrests and issued 791 motor vehicle summonses just last month alone.

"We are happy to have them all on board to serve this great community," said Bellinger.

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