Three officers
promoted in
police dept.
reorganization
By larry ramer
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — Two sergeants became lieutenants and a patrolman was elevated to the rank of sergeant as the Marlboro Police Department announced a series of promotions.
The promotions were made due to the retirement of Lt. Timothy Emmons and a decision by Police Chief Robert Holmes to reorganize the department, Capt. Danny Schick said.
Under the terms of the reorganization, which was approved by Mayor Matthew Scannapieco, a seventh lieutenant has been added to the force, Schick said.
Lt. Nicholas Barbella was promoted from the rank of sergeant and will report directly to Holmes. Barbella will carry out administrative duties and write grants for the department, Schick said.
Although Barbella previously wrote grants, the promotion will allow him to devote additional time to this assignment.
Barbella is a Marlboro native and began his career as a police dispatcher in 1979. Four years later he was sworn in as a police officer. Before becoming a lieutenant, Barbella was assigned to the Administration Division, where he obtained $2 million in grants for the township.
Initiatives that benefited from grants obtained by Barbella include the universal hiring program, cops in schools, a technology initiative program and a domestic violence program, according to information provided by the township.
A Medal of Valor award recipient, Barbella has received numerous awards for merit, service and saving lives. He will soon receive a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State College. Barbella and his wife, Angela, are the parents of one son.
Lt. Steve Mennona, an 18-year veteran of the Marlboro police force, was also promoted from the rank of sergeant. A recipient of several commendations, Mennona has been granted Valor Awards for disarming two suspects. One of the suspects had a gun, while the other was armed with a knife.
Mennona, who is an instructor at the Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township, and his wife, Angela, have two children.
Marlboro’s newest police sergeant, Darren Vuzzo, has been with the force since 1994. As a patrolman, Vuzzo was assigned to the detective bureau, where he was a field training officer, a firearms instructor and an emergency medical technician. Vuzzo holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and has completed his master’s degree in organizational management. He has also received several letters of commendation and a lifesaving award. Vuzzo and his wife, Heather, have two children.