MORRIS COUNTY — An official swearing-in ceremony presided by Sheriff James M. Gannon saw the new officers take their oath of office, receive their Office identification, and were presented with their commissions of service to the people of Morris County.

>Four Sheriff’s officers were sworn in during the ceremony: Officer Benjamin Carroll, Officer Dakota Palmer, Officer Evan Ruggiero, and Officer Nicholas Williams. Also sworn in were three Sheriff’s Investigators. They were Investigator Gunner Nunn, Investigator Ryan Wood, and Investigator Sean Rice.

Sheriff Gannon welcomed all in attendance and congratulated the seven for successfully completing their basic police academy training. He also highlighted the extensive number of supporting law enforcement and community service roles the Sheriff’s Office provides to the people of Morris County. The Sheriff illustrated how this translates to an abundance of opportunities for the newly sworn officers and investigators as they work hard in their new assignments.

The attributes of the new group included military service, volunteer emergency service, various levels of higher education, community service, and experience in other civil service employment. A few of the officers had legacy ties to law enforcement. Sheriff Gannon mentioned how special this family connection is to the “family” of law enforcement professionals. All of the sworn officers and investigators are excited to embark on their new careers.

MORRIS COUNTY — A bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, clarifying disability retirement eligibility for members of the State Police cleared the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday.

The bill (A1797) would allow State Police Retirement System members to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits if a work-related traumatic event triggered a preexisting, asymptomatic condition. Currently, members cannot claim to be totally and permanently disabled, either physically or mentally, under such circumstances.

“No one expects that an asymptomatic condition could result in a permanent disability, but trauma can make that happen,” Dancer (R-Ocean) said. “Our State Police members should not be blocked from receiving the appropriate benefits needed due to physical or mental trauma suffered in the line of duty.”

Members who were denied this form of retirement in the previous 10 years can reapply if they initially applied within five years of the event. Approved beneficiaries will receive two-thirds of their annual compensation at the time of that traumatic event. The bill stipulates that the triggering event must have occurred while the member was performing regular duties, and could not have been caused by the member.

“This legislation will ensure the troopers who need this accidental disability benefit have access to it,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “The families of those public servants should have peace of mind that they will be provided for in the face of unexpected health challenges that force them out of work.”

The bill unanimously passed both houses of the Legislature last session but was pocket vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker announce the hiring of Daniel Roman as Assistant Prosecutor and Alexis Rivera as Detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Assistant Prosecutor Roman and Detective Rivera were officially sworn in by Prosecutor Carroll at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on May 31. Assistant Prosecutor Roman is assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit within the Family Division. Detective Rivera is assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts & Administration Division.

Assistant Prosecutor Roman most recently served as an Associate Attorney for a private firm, and Staff Attorney for the Center for Hope and Safety in Rochelle Park.  He previously served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Miguel A. de la Carrera, J.S.C., Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division Criminal Part in Passaic County. He also served as Student Attorney at Seton Hall Law Center for Social Justice, Equal Justice Clinic; a Law Clerk for a private firm in Montclair, and an Intern for both the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Law and the White House Presidential Personnel Office. AP Roman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth University, and a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Detective Rivera most recently served as a Detective for the Newark Police Department’s Major Crimes Division Shooting Response Team, General Crimes Division Auto Squad, and Patrol Division. Previously, he served as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class I for the Carteret Police Department. Detective Rivera is PTC Certified from the New Jersey State Police Academy and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Hispanic Law Enforcement Society of Essex County. He attended Essex County Community College and Dutchess Community College.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “The past experiences of our incoming Assistant Prosecutor and Detective will prove to be a valuable addition to our ranks, and we are excited to have them join our office.”