5 Westfield Officers Promoted To Sergeant

WESTFIELD, NJ — Five police officers were promoted to the rank of Sergeant, announced Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

Effective Jan. 1, the promotions include Detective Piotr Wierzbicki, Detective Dennis DaSilva, Officer Jeffrey Johnson, Officer Richard Gill, and Detective Robert Desiato.

Sergeant Piotr Wierzbicki

Sergeant Piotr Wierzbicki, age 38, was appointed to the Westfield Police Department as a Patrol Officer on May 14, 2012. He was assigned to the Detective Bureau as a Plainclothes Officer on May 13, 2019, awarded the prestigious designation of Detective of Police on March 1, 2020, and designated as an Acting Sergeant on May 8, 2023.

Wierzbicki has served assignments with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, and Drug Enforcement Administration – all with distinction. He is the recipient of two Westfield Police Department Unit Citations, a Command Citation, both the Hurricane Sandy and COVID-19 Exceptional Service Awards, and a Certificate of Merit.

Additionally, Wierzbicki was recognized by the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police
for his exceptional efforts while assigned to that agency’s Auto Theft Task Force.

Sergeant Dennis DaSilva

Sergeant Dennis DaSilva, age 44, was appointed to the Westfield Police Department as a Patrol Officer on Oct. 5, 2009. He was assigned to the Detective Bureau as a Patrol Officer on May 13, 2014, designated as a Plainclothes Officer on September 21, 2014, awarded the prestigious designation of Detective of Police on June 16, 2016, and designated as an Acting Sergeant on
May 8, 2023.

DaSilva previously served as a Union County Sheriff’s Officer and was assigned to that agency’s Crime Scene Unit, as well as the Union County Emergency Response Team. He is the recipient of a Westfield Police Department Life Saving Medal, a Unit Citation, both the Hurricane Sandy and COVID-19 Exceptional Service Awards, and a Certificate of Merit.

Sergeant Jeffrey Johnson

Sergeant Jeffrey Johnson, age 42, was appointed to the Westfield Police Department as a Patrol Officer on Jan. 19, 2006. He served as a School Resource Officer at Westfield High School and presently serves as both a Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor for this agency and as a Physical Training Instructor for police officer recruits attending the John H. Stamler Police Academy of Union County.

Johnson also previously served as a 9-1-1 Police-Fire-EMS Telecommunicator for the Westfield Police Department. He is the recipient of a Westfield Police Department Medal of Valor, two Life Saving Medals, five Command Citations, both the Hurricane Sandy and COVID-19 Exceptional
Service Awards, and a Certificate of Merit.

Sergeant Richard Gill

Sergeant Richard Gill, age 31, was appointed to the Westfield Police Department as a Patrol Officer on Jan. 14, 2016. In addition to his patrol duties and responsibilities, he has served as a Field Training Officer and the agency’s Megan’s Law Liaison.

Gill previously served as a Parking Enforcement Officer for the Westfield Police Department. He is the recipient of a Westfield Police Department Medal of Merit, a Command Citation, two Unit Citations, and the COVID-19 Exceptional Service Award.

Sergeant Robert Desiato

Sergeant Robert Desiato, age 33, was appointed to the Westfield Police Department as a Patrol Officer on July 17, 2014. He was assigned to the Detective Bureau as a Plainclothes Officer on Jan. 9, 2020, and awarded the prestigious designation of Detective of Police on May 1, 2021.

Desiato previously served as a Parking Enforcement Officer for the Westfield Police Department.

He presently serves as the agency’s designated Humane Law Enforcement Officer, as well as a member of the Union County Fire Investigation Task Force. Sergeant Desiato is the recipient of two Westfield Police Department Command Citations, two (2) Unit Citations, the COVID-19 Exceptional Service Award, and a Certificate of Merit.

"These newly promoted Sergeants were subject to a comprehensive evaluative process and determined to be among the best qualified and most deserving," said Battiloro. "I am
extremely proud of their exceptional past performance and certain they will make outstanding
supervisors."

All five Sergeants will be initially assigned to the Operations Division as field supervisors in the
Patrol Services Bureau.