Caldwell Hires Three Police Officers

The grew by one when the Caldwell Council appointed three new probationary officers Tuesday night.

The council filled two open positions and hired a third officer. All three hires are effective Jan. 1, 2012.

Probationary Officer Michael A. Kraynanski, 31, of Cedar Grove, is the most senior of the three new hires. Kraynanski previously worked for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in Newark for seven years.

Probationary Officers Justin M. Rizzo, 23, of Highland Lakes, and Justin J. Misano, 28, of Sayerville, are the other new hires announced Tuesday night. Rizzo and Misano were both alternate route candidates, according to Officer in Charge James Bongiorno.

Bongiorno said none of the eligible candidates for the probationary officer positions resided in Caldwell. He said the closest elligible candidate was Kraynanski, a Cedar Grove resident.

Councilman and Public Safety Committee Chair Peter Murray said earlier this month that an additional officer may be hired to serve as a second detective and community officer.

All three probationary officers’ annual salaries are set at $35,000.

The new hires bring the total number of patrol officers to 13. The department also includes five sergeants, two lieutenants and a chief.

The appointments complete the process of filling vacancies within the department created after earlier this year. In November, and he will be the new chief effective Jan. 1, when Dombrowski’s retirement becomes official.

Earlier this month, Det. Sgt. Anthony Marta was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and Officers George Henderson and Michael Geary were promoted to the rank of sergeant. These promotions are also effective Jan. 1.

A second sergeant position opened up with the recent retirement of Sgt. Robert Fortunato.

Caldwell Councilman Joseph Norton said Tuesday that “Caldwell and the police department should be very proud of the new additions.”

The new officers will be sworn in early in the new year.