Westfield Officer Named New Sergeant Of Police

WESTFIELD, NJ - The Westfield Police Department says it is promoting one of its longtime officers to Sergeant of Police.

Christopher Forcenito, a 38-year-old from Staten Island, has been serving the Westfield force for more than 10 years. He was first appointed as an officer on July 17, 2015, and is certified as both an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

Sergeant Forcenito is a two-time Westfield Police Department Command Citation award-winner. He earned the COVID-19 Exceptional Service honor for his response in the community "during the 'State of Emergency' and 'Public Health Crisis.'" Forcenito also holds a Certification of Merit for his valuable work as an asset to the department.

"Promotions to the higher ranks are determined based on a comprehensive evaluative process. That process considers one’s education, training, assignments, annual evaluations, awards and other accomplishments," Police Chief Christopher Battiloro told Patch. "Only those who are deemed to be best qualified and most deserving are recommended for promotion, and Sergeant Forcenito is among them."

He adds that Command Citations are awarded for "police work beyond an ordinary or routine nature," qualities that Forcenito demonstrated in cases involving drugs and distribution on numerous occasions over the last 10 years.

Sgt. Forcenito is a graduate of both high school and college in Staten Island, and is a former member of the Fire Department of New York where he served as an EMT. Sergeant Forcenito also spent time as a Deputy Sheriff for the Essex County Sheriff's Office before heading over to Union County.

Currently under a temporary role in the Detective Bureau, Sergeant Forcenito will next be assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau as a field supervisor.