Fairfield (NJ) At the September 24, 2019 meeting of the Fairfield governing body, Mayor James Gasparini sworn in five new probationary police officers who were hired to fill positions that were vacated by recent retirements and/or promotions. They included:
Officer Rick Alves-Officer Alves grew up in Wayne, New Jersey. His father is a retired Bloomfield police officer. He attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School graduating in 2015. He went on to attend Ramapo College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Law and Society with a minor in Crime and Justice Studies.
In March 2018 he was hired by the Fairfield Police Department as a Class II Special Police Officer. He attended the Essex County Police Academy where he was awarded the Dr. A Zachary Yamba Award for having the highest academic average of all recruits in his class.
Officer Jesse Schnackenberg-Officer Schnackenberg grew up in Rutherford, New Jersey and graduated from Rutherford High School in 2009. Upon graduating, he attended Bergen Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Science.
In 2012, Officer Schnackenberg joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as a radio operator until his honorable discharge in 2016. He then attended William Paterson University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Math and Science.
After that, he attended the Morris County Police Academy as an alternate route candidate graduating in 2019.
Officer Ryan Cleary- Officer Cleary was raised in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey and attended Pompton Lakes High School, graduating in 2008. In 2010 he joined the United States Navy where he first served on the USS Theodore Roosevelt as a nuclear mechanical operator and inspector. He later went on to serve in the security forces at Sub Base New London and received an honorable discharge in January 2019.
In February 2019, he attended the Essex County Police Academy as an alternate route candidate. While at the academy, he was appointed the recruit commanding officer, earned the instructor’s award for leadership, and set a new academy record in the 300 meter sprint, beating the old record by 34 seconds. He graduated in July 2019.
Officer Kevin Chen- Officer Chen grew up in Livingston, New Jersey graduating from Livingston High School in 2010. He went on to attend Kean University and eventually transferred to Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology.
He attended the Mercer County Police Academy and graduated in 2019. He was most recently employed as a police officer with the Princeton University Public Safety Department. In addition to English, Officer Chen also speaks Mandarin
Officer Vincent Purcell- Officer Purcell grew up in Cedar Grove. New Jersey and graduated from DePaul Catholic High School in 2012. He first attended St Peter's University and transferred to Montclair State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Justice Studies with a minor in business.
He attended the Morris County Police Academy as an alternate route candidate, graduating in 2018. Prior to his appointment with us, he worked as a dispatcher with both the Verona and Glen Ridge Police Departments. He is also an emergency medical technician and a member of the Cedar Grove Fire Department.
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna
