Crime & Safety

4 South Amboy Police Officers Promoted

Sergeants Patricia Kanecke and Daniel Holovacko and police officers Steven Clark and James Charmello Jr. were promoted.

From left to right: Sgt. James Charmello Jr., Lieutenant Daniel Holovacko, Police Chief Darren LaVigne, Lieutenant Patricia Kanecke, Sgt. Steven Clark and Mayor Fred Henry.
From left to right: Sgt. James Charmello Jr., Lieutenant Daniel Holovacko, Police Chief Darren LaVigne, Lieutenant Patricia Kanecke, Sgt. Steven Clark and Mayor Fred Henry. (City of South Amboy)

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ — On Jan. 7, in the presence of family and friends, Mayor Fred Henry administered the oath of office to four members of the South Amboy Police Department who were promoted to new ranks.

Sergeants Patricia Kanecke and Daniel Holovacko were promoted to lieutenant and officers Steven Clark and James Charmello Jr. were promoted to sergeant.

Lieutenant Kanecke first served the city of South Amboy as a special officer II in 1997 and became a full-time police officer in 2001. Kanecke was the first female officer in South Amboy. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2012 and has served as a patrol sergeant, continues to serve as the supervisor in charge of support services, and along with Lieutenant Holovacko served as the co-accreditation manager for the department.

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Lieutenant Holovacko joined the South Amboy Police Department in 2002. His assignments have included the Patrol Division where in 2014 he was promoted to sergeant. He has also served as the internal affairs officer, D.A.R.E. officer, TAC officer and most recently in the Investigations Division. His new assignment will be as a detective lieutenant.

A United States Marine veteran, Sergeant Clark joined the South Amboy PD in 2012 and has had assignments in the Patrol Division and Traffic Safety. He will serve as the traffic safety sergeant.

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Sergeant Charmello joined the South Amboy PD in 2003 where he served in the uniform division with distinction. He serves as a field training officer for the department and will serve as a patrol supervisor.

“As the city of South Amboy grows it is my commitment that we will continue to grow our police department so all residents can continue to enjoy top caliber public safety services” said Mayor Henry. “These promotions, along with our current process in hiring and training new Officers will ensure our police have the tools and personnel they need to achieve their mission."

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