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“I am extremely grateful to Sheriff [Michael] Saudino for giving me this opportunity,” Shayna Kugler told CLIFFVIEW PILOT following the afternoon ceremony at the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack. “I know how fortunate and privileged it is in being chosen. I am committed and looking forward to the challenge of the police academy.”
Kugler is no ordinary recruit: Her father, Robert, is Saddle Brook’s police chief.
Shayna just turned 18 a decade ago when her father persuaded her — “more like forced me,” she said — to take the state Civil Service exam to become a police officer.
Like her, the elder Kugler wasn’t sure of what he wanted to do as a teenager. He heeded the advice of his own father, a former Saddle Brook mayor, and eventually became Saddle Brook’s top cop.
His daughter scored a shade under 100 on her first test, as well as on four after that — including a sparkling 99.39 this past fall.
She was forced to take the test again after finishing third for two available Saddle Brook police positions last summer.
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Four of those sworn in today went from being corrections officers to sheriff’s officers:
Josue Ortega
Michele Spina
Jennifer Estevez
Robert Mantone
Four are fresh off the Civil Service list:
Emily Lyons
Christian Zambrano
David Fego
Shayna Kugler
They’ll be attending the police academy at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah.
* * * * * *
“My father explained the lack of hiring new police officers was statewide,” Kugler said, “and he also explained the veterans preference policy that military personnel be given first priority, which I agree should be.
“He went on to tell me that if it wasn’t meant to be, then at least I tried; and to this day, I still hold truth to those words.”
Kugler earned a BA in fashion merchandising and management at FIT, then began studying to become a license funeral director (Kugler Community Home for Funerals in Saddle Brook is a family business).
Still, she remained determined.
“My family has been serving the public for over 50 years,” she said. “My grandfather was a former mayor (1969-1977) and on the township council (1985-2010) and my father’s been on the police force for 30 years — and the chief for 20 years.
“Yes, it was disappointing at fisrt in not being selected for the Saddle Brook Police Department,” Kugler said. “But I’ve moved on. As one door was closed, another one opened.
“The way I see it: I’m getting the opportunity to serve the people of Bergen County — and that includes my hometown!”
TOP PHOTO: Shayna Kugler with her parents, Christine and Robert (PHOTOS: Mary K. Miraglia, CLIFFVIEW PILOT Courthouse Reporter)
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