By David Kilby, Special Writer
ALLENTOWN — At a swearing-in ceremony Aug. 22, two Allentown police officers were promoted to supervisory positions, and a new officer, Patrolman Tim Purpuri, was sworn in to replace an officer who is leaving the department.
Brian Stab was promoted to the rank of corporal, and Daniel Panckeri was promoted to lieutenant. Members of the Police Department recently agreed to slash previously approved 4 percent raises to 2.5 percent so the new supervisory positions could be created.
Cpl. Stab, 36, has been with the Allentown Borough Police Department for 13 years. Before that, he was with the Seaside Heights Police Department for two years and attended the Ocean County Police Academy.
”It’s a small community, and I like working with the people,” Cpl. Stab said when asked what he likes about being an Allentown policeman.
Lt. Panckeri has been with the Allentown Police Department for 15 years. Before that, he was also with the Seaside Heights Police Department for two years and attended the Ocean County Police Academy. He is on medical leave due to a job-related injury sustained from assisting people in a car accident in April. He will be back to work Sept. 6, Cpl. Stab said.
Cpl. Stab is running the five-man department in Lt. Panckeri’s absence.
Lt. Panckeri and Cpl. Stab were officially sworn in to their new ranks Aug. 22, but their promotions are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012, according to the resolution the Borough Council approved. Cpl. Stab will be paid $73,018, and Lt. Panckeri will be paid $79,722.
Cpl. Stab said the promotions reflect both their years of dedicated service to Allentown and job performance.
”I enjoy working with the borough of Allentown and look forward to continue working as hard as I can,” he said.
Patrolman Purpuri, 21, is replacing Office Tim Houck, who will leave the department Aug. 31 for a position at the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. Patrolman Houck was with the department for about a year, Cpl. Stab said.
”(Officer Houck) performed well while he was in Allentown,” Cpl. Stab said.
Patrolman Purpuri started with the Seaside Heights Police Department in 2009, then went to the Ocean Gate Police Department before becoming an Allentown officer. He grew up in Toms River, went to Toms River South High School and graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy.
”He gained valuable experience in Seaside Heights and Ocean Gate,” Cpl. Stab said of Patrolman Purpuri. “He was highly recommended from Ocean Gate Police Department, and through his interviews and hiring process, he’s been very professional, and we think he’s going to be a welcome addition.”
Patrolman Purpuri said he had always wanted to be a police officer.
”I talked to a lot of people who work here, and they talked about how great the town was,” Patrolman Pupuri said. “I like the small-town atmosphere. Ocean Gate is pretty much the same size as here.”
Cpl. Stab explained why many police officers start in Seaside Heights.
”It’s just a place where a lot of people begin their law enforcement career,” he said. “They can start out as a special police officer directing traffic and patrolling the boardwalk. A lot of guys work in Class 1 and get minimal training. From there, you can go to the police academy and go to Class 2.”

