A new crop of police officers have officially been sworn into the NJIT police force, which included the promotion of Kevin Kesselman to Chief of Police.
Kesselman, who has been a member of the NJIT force since 2001 starting as a public safety officer, welcomed a packed house that included faculty, staff, students, families and members of neighboring police departments showing support in NJIT’s Ballroom.
“When I came in as chief, I had a vision…and it’s all about engagement,” said Kesselman in his opening remarks. “Through engagement I believe we can lower crime, we can change the culture of policing.”
Over the last nine months, the department has adopted a language change: replacing “community policing” with “community engagement.”
“Our communities have enough policing. They need to know that they will be engaged. Changing the culture can start with the word,” Kesselman added.
The switch is not just symbolic, but represents a core tenet of the department’s policing model. NJIT’s Department of Public Safety has been a stalwart of community engagement, with the past year being one of the most productive in visibility and outreach, participating in over 70 engagement events:
- Public safety met over 2,000 faculty, staff and students in their annual meet-and-greet at the start of the academic year, the most visible presence ever
- The department led the fourth annual Navy Seal Hudson River Swim, which honors those who died during the Sept. 11 attacks and the wars that followed
- Participated in the “Shop with a Hero” event held in downtown Newark for over 200 local children
- Launched “One Safe Community,” which brings together faculty, staff, students and residents in bi-monthly meetings to discuss crime and increase engagement
- Among the first police departments in the country to commit to the “30x30” Initiative, pursuing a greater female representation in the department
- Most successful Thanksgiving food pantry drive, and holiday-season “Toys for Tots” drive, to date
In addition to adding new members to the force, the department recognized individuals in the department with awards and commendations. Ranging from the honorable service award to the medal of honor, these NJIT public safety officers demonstrated initiative and accomplishment in the field, at times in the face of immediate danger to oneself.
“Your work has made a significant and undeniable impact on our university community,” said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. “Thanks, in large part, to your efforts, NJIT is among the safest campuses in the state and one of the safest urban campuses in the nation. The mindset and model of our police department is incredible.”
The department also unveiled the Chief’s Excellence challenge coin. Limited to 30 members of the NJIT faculty and staff community per year, the coin is a token of appreciation to individuals who have built a trusting and supportive relationship with public safety.
Below is a full list of promotions, swear-ins, and awards for the ceremony:
Swearing-In Promotions:
Chief of Police — Kevin Kesselman
Deputy Chief — Michael Villani
Lieutenant — Joshua Sanders and Thomas Hayden
Sergeants — Charles Kim, Dwayne Barton, Ian Lawson, and Ayanna Kerr
Swearing-In
Police Officer — Keila Santiago-Arocho and Ahku Kerr
Awards and Recognitions
Life Saving — Det. John Impallomeni, DSGT. Joseph Krueger, PO Ruben Cortes, PSO Robert Michie, Dispatcher Christopher Matousek, PO Keila Arocho, PO Nicholas Mazzolla, PO Cesar Reyes, PO Akhu Kerr, DSGT. Joseph Quinn
Honorable Service — PSO Yenitza Ruiz, PO Whitney Bledsoe-Furr, Dispatcher Z’Niyah Campbell, Dispatcher Christopher Matousek, PO Nicholas Mazzolla, Dispatcher Anthony Alvarez, Dispatcher Isabella Grice, PO Kevin Berge, PO Troy Stienstra, PO John Small, Sgt. Dwayne Barton, Sgt. Ian Lawson, Lt. James Casey
Exceptional Duty —Dispatcher Christopher Matousek, Dispatcher Christopher Matousek, DSGT. Joseph Quinn, Lt. Thomas Hayden
Command Citation — Dispatcher Matousek, Det. Jeffery Johnson, PO Kevin Berge, PSO Robert Michie, Dispatcher Brad Swiney, PO Cesar Reyes, PO Yahyra DeLeon, Det. Jeffery Johnson, Sgt. Ayanna Kerr, Sgt. Charles Kim, DSGT. Joseph Quinn
Meritorious Service —PO Ruben Cortes and Lt. Javier Duenas
Medal of Honor — PO Michael Capano and Sergeant Joseph Krueger
Officer of the Year — Sergeant Charles Kim
PSO of the Year— Shanise Wiggins
Dispatcher of the Year — Christopher Matousek
Pistol Sharpshooter (90% up to 95%) — Joseph Quinn – 93.3%; Troy Stienstra – 93.35%; Javier Duenas – 91.6%; Kevin Kesselman – 90.8%; Gerardo Ramos – 90%
Pistol Expert (95% up to 98%) — Cesar ReyesPerez – 97.5%
Distinguished Pistol Expert (98% or higher) — James Casey – 100%; Nicholas Mazzolla – 100%; Joseph Krueger – 98.3%
