BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
TENAFLY, N.J.—Tenafly’s newest police officer, Joseph Kim, was sworn in Jan. 29 by Police Chief Robert Chamberlain before family, friends and fellow officers who welcomed the department’s first Korean-American officer.
Kim was unanimously selected by a four-member panel from among 191 candidates who applied for the position, said Chamberlain.
Previously, Kim served as a New York City police officer since 2008 and was promoted to detective investigator “for his dedication, superior achievement and outstanding service to the NYPD and city,” Chamberlain said.
Kim joins the 34-member department patrolling a 5.2 square-mile borough with approximately 15,000 residents.
Chamberlain said Kim was the “most qualified candidate.”
He said he hopes Kim can serve “as a liaison” and as a resource to the local Korean community.
“We look to diversify our ranks and try to recruit from all ethnicities,” said Chamberlain, noting the department has advertised recent open positions to try to draw a wide range of candidates.
Kim, 35, joins as a full-time probationary officer for a year. Chamberlain thanked members of the Tenafly police department for help in managing the hiring process as well as members of the Korean-American Brotherhood in Law Enforcement for its help in advertising the job opportunity to the Korean-American community.
Several members of the group joined Kim at the swearing-in ceremony.
“He is the first Korean-American police officer to be hired by the borough and will make a fitting member of the department and community he’ll serve,” Chamberlain told Northern Valley Press.
Kim is married to his wife, Diane, who held the Bible as Kim took the oath of office and also helped pin on his badge following the ceremony.
The selection panel included Chamberlain, two police captains and the borough administrator. Kim’s starting salary is $52,730.
Photos courtesy Capt. Tim O’Reilly