Eight New Officers Sworn Into Woodbridge Police Force

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On Monday, eight new police officers were sworn into the Woodbridge Township police department. The new officers successfully completed the state-mandated six-month Police Training Commission program and will take up patrol assignments on the streets of Woodbridge immediately.

All the recruits successfully completed an extensive testing and eligibility process overseen by the New Jersey Department of Personnel, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the Woodbridge Police Department.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of these eight new police officers to the ranks,” said Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac. “The public safety mission of the Woodbridge Police Department is our most important priority. As a result of our commitment to public safety, combined with the increased assignment of uniformed officers to street patrol, the Woodbridge Police Department continues to maintain police ranks at a maximum staffing level of more than 200 sworn officers effectively protecting public safety.”

The eight new officers are:

Patrolman Richard Byrnes, Badge #683

WPD Officer Richard Byrnes, 40, has resided in the Fords section of Woodbridge Township since 1984. Officer Byrnes is a graduate of Woodbridge High School. He was a sworn Amtrak Police Officer with the rank of sergeant prior to joining the Woodbridge Police Department. Officer Byrnes is a Certified Firearms Instructor and has been assigned to work with an explosives detection canine. Officer Byrnes was also a former Police Officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He is a 2004 graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia and a recent graduate of the Mercer County Police Academy.

Patrolwoman Dalleyri Aurora Lopez, Badge #684

WPD Officer Dalleyri Lopez, 26, has resided in Woodbridge Township since 2007. Officer Lopez is a graduate of Woodbridge High School and earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex County College. Officer Lopez formerly worked for Top Shelf Electric in Iselin as an employee relations representative. She is a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy.

Patrolwoman Laura Marie Higgins, Badge #685

WPD Officer Laura Marie Higgins, 32, is a lifelong resident of the Avenel section of Woodbridge. Officer Higgins is a graduate of Colonia High School and went on to complete her master's degree in sociology and social justice from Kean University. She was formerly the EMS Coordinator for Woodbridge Township and was also the President of the Colonia First Aid Squad. Officer Higgins is a certified EMT and previously held a position as a Woodbridge Police Department Communications Dispatch Operator. Officer Higgins’ cousin, Robert Higgins, is a Woodbridge Township Police Detective. Officer Higgins is a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy.

Patrolman Steve James Doyle, Badge #687

WPD Officer Steven Doyle, 26, is a resident of Fords and a lifelong resident of Woodbridge Township. Officer Doyle is a graduate of the Perth Amboy Vo-Tech School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 2012 and after fulfilling his commitment, was honorably discharged holding the rank of Sergeant. Officer Doyle was formerly employed as a Service Manager for Wabash National. Officer Doyle’s Grandfather, Robert Hodes, was a Woodbridge Township Police Officer. Officer Doyle is a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy.

Patrolman Robert McPartland, Badge #688

WPD Officer Robert McPartland, 28, has resided in Woodbridge Township since 1995. Officer McPartland is a graduate of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Iselin. Officer McPartland stands as the current Chief of the Iselin Fire Department. He was formerly a Woodbridge Police Department Communications Dispatch Operator and was also assigned to the WPD Traffic Maintenance Unit. Officer McPartland is a Certified EMT and is a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy.

Patrolwoman Tianna Lee Zaremba, Badge #690

WPD Officer Tianna Zaremba, 22, is a lifelong resident of the Port Reading section of Woodbridge Township. Officer Zaremba is a graduate of Woodbridge High School and achieved her Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex County College. Officer Zaremba is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice at New Jersey City University. Prior to being hired as a Woodbridge Police Officer, Officer Zaremba was a member of the Woodbridge Police Auxiliary since 2017. Her brother, Thomas Zaremba, was sworn in as a Woodbridge Township Police Officer in June 2019. Officer Zaremba is a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy.

Patrolman Riley Egan, Badge #691

WPD Officer Riley Egan, 21, resides in Sewaren and has been a resident of Woodbridge Township since 2012. Officer Egan is a graduate of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Iselin and was formerly employed with Wisdom Protective Systems as a security guard in Perth Amboy. Officer Egan is a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy.

Patrolman Samuel Annuzzi, Badge #697

WPD Officer Samuel Annuzzi, 30, resides in Fords and has lived in Woodbridge Township since 1994. Officer Annuzzi is a graduate of Woodbridge High School and has achieved an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex County College. Officer Annuzzi was a Somerset County Sheriff’s Officer since 2012 assigned to the Administrative Division prior to his enlistment with the Woodbridge Police Department. Officer Annuzzi is a graduate of the Somerset County Police Academy.