By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO And the award for officer of the year goes to Patrolman Joseph Dell Beni.
Officer Dell Beni made history last night at the committee meeting when he was named the town’s Officer of the Year making him the first police officer in Plainsboro Township to earn the title.
In 2011, the local Policemen Benevolent Association, Security Officer Association and command staff created the award to set apart their officers in their individual accomplishments. A committee made up of fellow officers, supervisors and command staff then whittled the candidates down to three ultimately choosing officer Dell Beni.
”Patrolman Bell Deni clearly exemplifies what we were looking for as Officer of the Year,” said Chief Guy Armour, as he presented the honoree with a plaque. “His hard work, dedication, honor, integrity, discipline, attention to detail and the professionalism he has shown throughout his entire career is the reason he was given this award by his peers and command staff.”
Officer Bell Deni served as a Hunterdon County Corrections officer and a policeman for the New Jersey Department of Human Services before joining the Plainsboro police in 2006.
Since then, he has been quite busy and many different roles within the department.
He is the main administrative officer in the Traffic Bureau and is responsible for traffic safety for town events, such as Founder’s Day, Halloween Night and the Fall Festival. He is also the program and grant coordinator for DARE, driving while intoxicated enforcement and child safety seat programs.
The patrolman serves as three different liaisons for construction safety, Human Relations Council and the Plainsboro-West Windsor Drug Alliance and is an instructor for RADAR, DARE, Firearms and Defensive Driving.
Officer Dell Beni is also part of the department’s Honor Guard, which provides honorary military services to veterans, retirees and soldiers who passed away. Throughout his career, he has attended many funerals, parades and memorial services over the years.
Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis recalled interviewing Officer Dell Beni a moment he knew the applicant was a good fit for the Plainsboro Police Department.
”I know when we interviewed you, we felt you were an excellent candidate,” said Mr. Lewis. “We are delighted your peers, your supervisors as well as all the various agencies connected to the Police Department feel the same way.”
Mayor Peter Cantu noted the significance of Officer Dell Beni being recognized not just by his superiors, but by his colleagues.
”There is no greater endorsement than when you are recognized by your peers at every level and you should be very proud of that,” said Mayor Cantu. “I want to thank you for contributions to the community, you really are an outstanding officer.”
The awards didn’t end with Officer Dell Beni that night.
The Township Committee also issued a proclamation honoring Plainsboro Olympian Rebecca Soni, a graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, who won two gold medals and one silver medal in the swimming competition during 2012 Olympics in London.
Ms. Soni set a world record in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2 minutes and 19.59 seconds one-hundredth of a second faster than the time she previously set.
Ms. Soni, a defending champion, nabbed the gold for the 200-meter breaststroke back in the 2008 along with two silver medals in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 4×100-meter medley relay.
