Nutley Cop Earns ‘Volunteer Of Year’ Award For Youth Mentorship

NUTLEY, NJ — A longtime Nutley resident and police officer was recently recognized as the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse’s (GCADA) “Volunteer of the Year.”

Lt. Mike Padilla – who has been with the Nutley Police Department since 2001 and has lived in the township for more than three decades – saw a hearty round of congratulations at a Board of Commissioners meeting in December.

In celebration, town officials presented Padilla with a proclamation to honor his “selfless actions” and “efforts to help guide our youth toward better decision making and choices.”

According to a news release from the township:

“As a member of the Nutley Municipal Alliance Committee, Padilla has sought out many events and programs to help educate and empower students. Through his work with the police department, Padilla has headed up the township’s Juvenile Bureau, mentoring hundreds of young students and young adults leading them toward responsible and productive lives. He was successful in bringing the Recovery Van to the township, which allows residents with drug/alcohol concerns to seek immediate help. Padilla established the Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) program, oversees the Nutley Police Academy, Police at Lunch (PALS) and Partnership for Children in Essex, all programs which help direct youth toward positive decision making.”

“It’s great to be recognized,” Padilla humbly stated, adding that the recognition came by surprise.

“There are a lot of people in our town and on the municipal alliance committee who put so much into what we do,” Padilla said. “Without them, there would be no way my name would have been put in for this award. A lot of involvement goes into making things happen. It’s not just the work of one person.”

Nutley Public Safety Commissioner Alphonse Petracco gave Padilla a round of applause.

“Mike has never let us down,” Petracco said. “Nutley’s most important people are our kids, and Mike has stepped up his entire career to serve them and our youths in need. Everything he does is from the heart.”

“I can’t say I have ever met a better person,” Petracco added.

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