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"Over past seven years, I have been working diligently to rebuild the depleted ranks of our police department from historical lows," Mayor Rich LaBarbiera said.
"Last night was another step in that direction with the addition of five outstanding police officers to what I consider one of if not the best departments in the county.
"All have tremendous experience to include military and firefighting. I would be remiss if did not again thank Rep. Josh Gottheimer for his assistance with COPS grant that enabled us to hire these officers with federal funding."
Michael Focarino attended Iona College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He served in the United States Air Force from 2010 to 2014 where he served as a security forces captain and flight commander for the 824th Base Defense Squadron.
In 2012, Michael was deployed to Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan where he served as Defense Sector Commander leading 186 personnel in defense of Bagram’s largest sector during Operation Enduring Freedom. While serving in the United States Air Force, Michael received multiple awards including 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, Meritorious Unit Award, Outstanding Unit Award, Squadron Flight Commander of the Year in 2012 and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
After his service in the United States Air Force, Michael became a police officer with the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department where he led the Department in DWI Arrests and received a Unit Citation for the rescue of a suicidal party on a cliff.
Jamie Piccinich was born and raised in Paramus. She is a graduate of Paramus High School where she was the captain of the soccer team. Jamie went on to attend Ramapo College where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in Substance Abuse. Jamie was a dispatcher for the Westwood Police Department for five years.
During her tenure there, Jamie received a Civilian Merit Award for handling a 9-1-1 call for a serious crime in progress. Jamie was able to overcome a language barrier and direct responding police officers to the scene which led to an arrest. Jamie also interned with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office – Narcotics Unit and the Bergen County Jail and became a Special 1 Police Officer with the City of Hackensack. Jamie then went on to become a police officer with the Randolph Police Department.
Kevin Grady was born and raised in Paramus. Kevin is a graduate of Paramus High School and was a co-captain of the football team. Kevin interned with the Paramus Police Department while attending Montclair State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Kevin became a member of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department in 2011. In 2014, Kevin was hired as a dispatcher for the Paramus Police Department where his duties included answering 9-1-1 calls for 13 different jurisdictions and dispatching for police and fire.
Brian Doughty was born and raised in Paramus. Brian attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in administrative science. Brian enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2014 where he attained the rank of specialist. Brian was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for being an honor’s graduate in artillery school. Brian was also awarded the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Ribbon and the Global War on Terror Service Medal.
Brian served the Borough of Paramus as a member of the Paramus Ambulance Corps and Paramus Volunteer Fire Department. Brian also worked part time as a Dispatcher and was a Special 1 Police Officer for the Paramus Police Department. His father is retired Paramus Police Sergeant Glenn Doughty.
William F. Stallone was born and raised in Paramus. He is a graduate of Paramus High School where he was assistant captain of both the varsity ice hockey and lacrosse teams. William attended the University of Scranton where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in criminal justice. William also interned in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office - White Collar Crimes Unit and has been a member of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department since 2007. William was previously a police officer with the West Caldwell Police Department for two years where he received multiple life-saving awards.
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