TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The Police Department honored newly retired Chief John Calamari after his 32-plus years of service, celebrated promotions for six officers, and welcomed a new hire in a jam-packed council chambers at the council’s Jan. 19 meeting.
A full room of fellow officers, family and friends applauded every officer receiving a promotion during a 32-minute ceremony at the meeting’s start: Capt. Michael Glock, Lt. Richard Parsells, Sgt. Michael Ferrarini, Sgt. Christopher Osenbruck, Cpl. Peter Vereb, and Cpl. Michael Sinatra. The department honored retired Sgt. Saverio Fasciano in absentia for his 27 years of service. And cheers greeted new township P.O. Justin Boesch.
Chief Arsenio Pecora addressed Calamari: “He was a great mentor to me and so I fully appreciate everything he did for me in our relationship building me up to be the chief and I really really appreciate you and everything you did for this department.” After shaking his hand, he presented Calamari with a plaque and his “officially retired I.D. cards.”
Calamari started with the WTPD in 1993.
Mayor Peter Calamari presented a former chief a plaque honoring his service. “My brother here, we tried to keep the personal side out of it during my 12 years of being on the governing body while John was on.Well, I couldn’t be prouder of my brother and what he’s achieved in life,” said the mayor.
He said it seemed “just the other day” that Chief John Calamari was graduating from the Police Academy. “It’s all good and I’m very happy that you made this milestone achievement. So thank you for your service to the town,” said the mayor, presenting the former chief a second plaque, recognizing his “32 years of outstanding service.”
All officers were sworn in by Calamari. Pecora pinned their new badges. Most called up their family to hold the Bible and witness the swearing-in ceremony. The ceremony was marked by shouts of joy, babies crying, and much applause.
Following are brief highlights of the officers’ careers. For full career histories, watch the police promotion ceremony, archived on the town website.
Capt. Michael Glock was hired by the police department in August 1996. He was promoted to corporal in 2005, sergeant in 2014, and lieutenant in 2024. His duties included traffic bureau supervisor, firearms instructor, radar instructor, Alca-Test coordinator, and investigator on Bergen County Fatal Accidents Investigative Unit.
Lt. Richard Parsells joined the department in August 2000. He was promoted to corporal in 2018 and sergeant in May 2022. Duties have included being an active member of the firearms unit, which handles firearms applications; and serving as a domestic violence liaison. He is the department’s resiliency officer and a member of the critical stress management unit and Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force.
Sgt. Michael Ferrarini attended the Passaic County Police Academy in 2012 and served with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office for more than a year. He joined the department in 2014 as a police officer, served in the patrol division, and was promoted to corporal in 2022.
Sgt. Christopher Ostenbruck began his career as a dispatcher before being hired as a police officer in 2014, after graduating from Bergen County Police Academy. He has received numerous lifesaving awards. He has served as a traffic officer, domestic violence liaison, public information officer, social media officer, and field training officer.
Cpl Peter Vereb was hired as SLEO II in April 2019 and promoted to police officer in July 2019. He serves in the motorcycle unit, child care seat technician, and firearms licensing officer. He also serves as a CPR instructor, firearms instructor for rifle and pistol, and an active shooter patrol practical response instructor.
Cpl. Michael Sinatra graduated as a Class II police officer from Essex County Police Academy in 2013. He served in Union City Police Department until 2018 and after graduating from Bergen County Police Academy in 2019, moved into a full-time position. He transferred to the local department in 2020 amid the Covid pandemic. He is a handgun and rifle instructor, physical training instructor, active shooter instructor, and motor unit officer.
Newly promoted Police Officer Justin Boesch started with the department a year ago after graduating from the police academy as a SLEO II. He officially was promoted to officer on Jan. 1, Pecora said, noting he is a 16-year resident and Westwood Regional High School graduate.