EAST WINDSOR: Township promotes police officers

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   EAST WINDSOR — The township welcomed a new police officer as well as promoted two of its own from amongst its ranks at the Sept. 5 council meeting.
   East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov administered the oath of office to Sgt. James Geary — who was promoted to lieutenant, and Patrol Officer Cory Paieda — who was promoted to sergeant.
   An oath of office was also administered to new hire Michael Greco as a probationary police officer.
   ”We had an opportunity in July to name a new police chief for the East Windsor Police Department, it’s always sad when outstanding people retire but it also provides opportunities for people in the ranks,” said Mayor Mironov. “We then have a domino effect, which is quite nice for the rest of the department, as it provides other opportunities for hardworking individuals who will excel in their positions to perhaps move up a notch within the department.”
   As previously reported by the Herald, Police Chief James Monahan was administered the oath of office on July 1 following the retirement of former Chief William Spain.
   Chief Monahan said, “When these vacancies are created, that does trigger a selection process and that process is very competitive and I like that. It brings out the best and it raises the bar, raises the standard. These gentlemen are the result of that process and they should be congratulated for doing well. They are also here as a reflection of the many years of hard dedicated work to the township Police Department.”
   Newly promoted Lt. Geary joined the East Windsor Police Department on July 5, 1995. He is a 1995 graduate of the Somerset County Police Academy.
   Lt. Geary also obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Richard Stockton College in 1994, and a master’s degree in administrative science in 2006.
   During his career with East Windsor, Lt. Geary has received numerous awards and recognitions including a 15-year department honorable service medal, a unit citation, educational achievement medal, several awards of merit, and letters of recognition.
   In 2007, Lt. Geary received the East Windsor Public Safety Employee of the Year Award.
   As a lieutenant, he will be assigned to the Uniform Services as an Operations Commander.
   ”I would like to thank Mayor Mironov, Deputy Mayor Shapiro, members of council and Chief Monahan for this tremendous opportunity,” Lt. Geary said. “I have always been very proud to be such a part of a professional police agency and for many years to serve this town. I thank the lieutenants who have come before me and setting the bar so high and I promise that I will maintain that standard.”
   Lt. Geary continued, “I have learned a lot throughout the years. It’s really easy when there are so many tremendously smart professional people around me, just to follow that example and maintain that example. To all the officers I’ve worked with over the years, I just want to say thank you for your support, and my friends and family for coming out tonight and especially to my wife, Nicole, who’s provided me with 20 years of support. It’s been easy with her by my side.”
   Sgt. Paieda, who was also promoted on Wednesday night, has been with the Police Department since February 2001. He graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in May 1998 and formerly served as a patrol officer for the Lambert City Police Department.
   He received an associate degree in administrative science from Raritan Valley County College and later earned a bachelor’s degree in the same field.
   During his time with the East Windsor Police Department, Sgt. Paieda was named officer of the year in 2004, and also received a 10-year department honorable service award as well as many other awards such as two unit citation medals, an educational achievement medal, a lifesaving medal and an honorable service medal. He is currently assigned to the Uniform Services as a supervisor for Platoon One.
   Mayor Mironov said of Sgt. Paieda, “He’s really had an outstanding and decorated career here in East Windsor Township. To get to this point in his career in 11 years is really outstanding to get to this level of position.”
   ”I would like to thank Mayor Mironov, council members and also Chief Monahan, my colleagues, my family, my wife, my mom and dad, my daughter and my in-laws for coming out tonight,” Sgt. Paieda said.
   As for the new officer to join the Police Department, Mayor Mironov said of Officer Greco, “We tend to bring in the best suited that qualified skill wise, personality wise and background wise to compliment our department. We look forward to having Michael join us and having the opportunity to work with some really outstanding officers.”
   Officer Greco is a 2004 graduate of South Brunswick High School. He earned his an associate degree in criminal justice from Middlesex County Community College and graduated from the Mercer County Police Academy in January 2009.
   Officer Greco began his career in law enforcement with the New Jersey Institute of Technology Police Department. He will be joining the Uniform Services Platoon as a probationary police officer in East Windsor.
   ”I look forward to working with this town and this Police Department for many years to come,” Officer Greco said.
   Police Chief Monahan also welcomed Officer Greco to the department.
   ”This process tends to identify to those well suited to work in East Windsor and it’s not an easy process to get through. So, congratulations on that, and we look forward to working with you,” Chief Monahan said.
   ”Mayor Mironov, Deputy Mayor Shapiro, members of council, thank you for including this ceremony in your council meeting this evening. It is very special for the community, for the Police Department, for the officers and their families,” Chief Monahan stated.
   The next East Windsor Township Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18.