Crime & Safety

Congrats! 3 Bernards Township Officers Promoted

Three B​ernards Township Police Officers were promoted last night and two others have received advanced assignment/appointments.

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Three Bernards Township Police Officers were promoted last night and two others have received advanced assignment/appointments.

The promotions were triggered by the retirement of Lieutenant Steve Elder.

Eric Geleta was promoted from Patrol Sergeant to Lieutenant.

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He came to Bernards Township from the Blairstown Police Department in 1998 as a Patrol Officer. He was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in April 2009 and has since been the Department’s Speed Enforcement Equipment Coordinator.

He is a past 10-year member of the NJ Army National Guard leaving his service their as an Infantry Sergeant in 2001.

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Geleta currently holds an Associates Degree from Warren County Community College and a Bachelors Degree from Thomas Edison State College while currently being enrolled as a Master Degree candidate in Seton Hall University.

Michael Sweeney was promoted from Detective DSC-Shift Commander to Detective Sergeant.

He came to Bernards Township from the Bridgewater Police Department in 2002 as a Patrol Officer. He was assigned as Detective in July 2008. He was a past Investigator with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Strike Force.

He currently holds a Bachelors Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree from Seton Hall University.

Margaret “Peggy” Corsentino was promoted from Patrol DSC-Shift Commander to Patrol Sergeant.

Corsentino came to Bernards Township from the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office in December 2000.

She is the department's primary Domestic Violence Liaison to Somerset County Courts and Team Coordinator for the Somerset Hills Domestic Violence Response Team and currently a member of the Somerset County SWAT Negotiators Team.

She was a past Detective with this Department serving for 3 years in that assignment. She is a past Inter-Agency Task Force Member and a past primary Departmental Mandatory Training Instructor.

Corsentino currently holds a Bachelors Degree from Elon College and a Masters Degree from Seton Hall University.

Two other officers also received advanced assignment/appointment through this promotional procedure. Officer Brian Fallon has been appointed as the newest Detective and Officer Steve Matthews has been appointed as the newest DSC-Shift Commander in the Patrol Division from his assignment in Traffic Services.

"A huge collective thank you to the Township Committee for their continuing support and forward thinking in regards to everything related to the Police Department but, specifically tonight for these promotions which go to recognize the hard work, dedication and commitment to policing and customer service in Bernards Township and for Bernards Township," Chief Brian Bobowicz stated at the meeting.

Somerset County Prosecutor and Basking Ridge native Michael Robertson was also present at the ceremony.

"I make a point to come to all promotions. I come from family of law enforcement... so it's near and dear to me," Robertson said. "To me it's very important to show my support not just as a boss but genuinely because I care. Congrats to all promotions and good luck and stay safe out there."

(Photos provided)



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