Montclair Police Department Promotes 7 Officers (VIDEO)

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Police Department recently promoted seven officers during a ceremony at the Municipal Council Chambers.

On Monday, the following officers were promoted, according to a township news release:

“William Kagan and David O’Dowd were promoted to the status of captain, Christopher Locklear and Dean Berardi were promoted to the status of lieutenant, Benjamin Campos and Stephen Sobers became sergeants, and Sean Verbist successfully completed his probationary period to achieve full status in the force.”

Montclair town officials provided the following biography info for each officer.

William Kagan has been with the Montclair Police Department (MPD) since 1997. He has served in the Narcotics Bureau as a Detective and Bureau Commander and has worked as a Sergeant in the Detective Bureau. William will be assigned to the Patrol Division as a Captain.

Dave O’Dowd joined the department in 1999. He has a B.A. from Thomas Edison College. He has served as a detective in the Detective and Narcotics bureaus. Dave has also worked as a Sergeant in the Juvenile Bureau and as the Detective Bureau Commander. He was a member of the Critical Response Team and is the Department’s Firearms Range Master. Dave will remain in his current assignment as the Department’s Professional Standards Commander.

Christopher Locklear joined the department in 1998. He holds an Associate’s degree from Raritan Valley Community College. Chris has been a Detective in the Detective Bureau and has served as a Field Training Officer. He will be assigned to the Patrol Division as a Lieutenant.

Dean Berardi has been with the MPD since 2007. He earned his B.A. from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Dean served as a Field Training Supervisor and spent many years in the Traffic Bureau. He also is a part of the accreditation team. Dean will remain in his current assignment in the Support Services Bureau as a Lieutenant.

Stephen Sobers joined the department in 2009. He earned a B.A. from Montclair State University. Steve has been a Detective in the Detective Bureau and has spent many years as a member of the department’s Honor Guard. He will be assigned to the Patrol Division as a Sergeant.

Benjamin Campos became an MPD officer in 2004. He holds a degree law from Pace Law School. During his tenure with the MPD, he has been with the Patrol Division. Ben serves as a Firearms instructor and is part of the accreditation team. He will be assigned to the Patrol Division as a Sergeant.

Sean Verbist is a Montclair State University graduate. He worked for the Randolph police department for five years and was a Montclair Police Dispatcher from 2012-13.

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