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A “young, vibrant, passionate and intelligent” police department doesn’t happen by chance, retired Bergen County prosecutor’s Detective Capt. Stephen Dembowski said while formally introducing Russo to more than 400 attendees in the main ballroom.
Russo, who was sworn as the association’s 95th president, “raised the bar and improved the police department he leads” after becoming chief in 2013, Dembowski said.
He joined the force in January 1999 and became detective within only two years, then sergeant two years after that. After seven years as a lieutenant, he made the jump to chief.
Among his many accomplishments, the popular police veteran was chosen spokesman for the graduation ceremonies of his 228-member class' 10-week FBI National Academy training program in Virginia in 2017, Dembowski noted.
Russo also was the driving force behind a modern new borough police headquarters, Dembowski said, citing his good friend’s work ethic and enthusiasm.
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, who swore in Russo, called him a “protector of the public and of his officers and a beacon of stability for citizens.”
For his part, Russo talked about constantly advancing the kind of professional police work that counters undeserved anti-police bias.
He also spoke of the outstanding working relationships that local chiefs have with Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella – who swore in the association’s 2020 Board of Officers – and many other law enforcement agencies and officials at all levels, including Grewal, a former assistant U.S. attorney who preceded Musella as prosecutor.
Russo, who has a master’s degree in administrative science from FDU, said he’s “looking forward to a productive 2020 and hoping to keep this group of amazing men and women as productive and relevant as we have been since my acceptance into [the BCPCA] in 2013.”
The Bergen County Police Chiefs Association works to better serve and protect the public by strengthening ties among police officials, elevate professional standards of law enforcement and improve training. Just as importantly, the association is heavily involved in raising funds for important causes, including veterans services, while also mentoring new police chiefs.
Other high-ranking law enforcement officials attending Friday’s installation ceremony included FBI Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Hauck, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Chief of Detectives Robert Anzilotti and Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, among others.
Ranking law enforcement officers from outside Bergen County included Prospect Park Police Chief Charlie Atie.
Among the retirees were former New Jersey State Police Supt. Col. Rick Fuentes and several local chiefs.
Newer faces included Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Chief Steven Shallop, a former NJSP lieutenant colonel.
2020 Board of Officers:
- Old Tappan Police Chief Thomas Shine (immediate past president)
- Wallington Police Chief Carmello Imbruglia (1st vice president)
- Haworth Police Chief Michael Gracey (2nd vice president)
- Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlian (3rd vice president)
- Wyckoff Police Chief David Murphy (recording secretary)
- Robert Francaviglia (financial secretary)
- Teaneck Police Chief Glenn O'Reilly (sergeant-at-arms)
- Cresskill Police Chief Edward Wrixon (treasurer)
Executive Board:
- Woodcliff Lake Police Chief John Burns
- Fair Lawn Police Chief Glen Cauwels
- Ridgefield Police Chief Thomas Gallagher
- North Arlington Police Chief Scott Hedenberg
- Fairview Police Chief Martin Kahn
- Ridgefield Park Police Chief Edward Rose
- Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Chief Steven Shallop
- Englewood Police Chief Lawrence Suffern
- Oradell Police Chief William Wicker
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