2 Hillsborough 'Top Cops' Honored For Being 'Best Of The Best'

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Two Hillsborough Police Officers were selected as "Top Cops" for 2024 for their exceptional performance, announced Police Chief Michael McMahon and Mayor John Ciccarelli.

The 2024 Top Cop Award recipients:

• A-Squad: Officer Justin Tesorio
• B-Squad: Officer Vail Nazaryk

The Hillsborough Township Police Department continues its program aimed at recognizing the performance of its top-rated Officers.

Two Officers (one from each of the Department’s two Patrol Squads) are selected to receive the Top Cop recognition for the previous year. The award recipients are determined based on a score obtained from their Annual Job Performance Evaluations, along with a ranking achieved by their respective supervisors and peers.

As a result of their hard work, an acknowledgment of the award is placed in the Officers’ permanent Personnel File and a special award bar is presented to each Officer to be worn above his uniform badge.

In addition, the Officers’ names will be engraved on a plaque displayed in the lobby of Police Headquarters, which memorializes each year’s winners since the program’s inception in 1996.

"Hillsborough is proud of Officer Tesorio and Officer Nazaryk for their well-deserved Top Cop recognition," said Ciccarelli.

"Hillsborough Police Department congratulates Officers Tesorio and Nazark for being the best of the best," said McMahon.

Officer Justin Tesorio

Tesorio has been a member of the Department since 2020, where he has served in the Patrol Division. He has received several Command Citations, leers of appreciation, and Supervisory Commendations.

He also serves as a Field Training Officer and Drone Operator for the department. This is Officer Tesorio’s first time receiving this award.

Officer Vail Nazaryk

Nazaryk has been a member of the Department since 2023 where he has served in the Patrol Division. Nazaryk is the recipient of several Command Citations as well as Supervisory Commendations.

He is also the recipient of several leers of appreciation from the community for a job well done during the performance of his duties. This is Nazaryk's first time receiving Top Cop.

"Congratulations to these two veteran officers on their exemplary service to the Township, earning them this distinct honor," said Deputy Mayor and Liaison to the Police Department Catherine Payne.