Fairfield (NJ) On Monday October 26, 2020, at the regular meeting of the Fairfield governing body, two new probationary police officers and five special law enforcement (SLEO II) officers were sworn in. The vacancies for the two probationary police officers came about with the retirements of long time Fairfield officers, Sergeant Robert Sanger and Lieutenant Peter Pollack which will take place at the end of the year. Fairfield’s newest officers are as follows:
Police Officer Patrick Reynolds- Officer Reynolds joined the Fairfield Police Department as a special police officer on January 6, 2020. Prior to this appointment, he attended the Essex County Police Academy Class 18-1, as an Essex County Sheriff’s Department deputy sheriff, graduating in August. Officer Reynolds attended Marist College graduating in 2015 where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor degree in Psychology. In March, while a special police officer with our department, Officer Reynolds greatly assisted the department by filling in for officers who had to be quarantined due to the Coronavirus.
Police Officer John Seragusa- Officer Seragusa was hired as a Fairfield special police officer on March 3, 2018. He attended Essex County Police Academy Class 18-1, graduating in August 2018. Since joining the department, while a special police officer, Officer Seragusa is the pilot of our department’s Drone Unit which was used extensively during mass gatherings throughout the area. Also, when relocating back into our newly renovated headquarters, the department relied heavily on Officer Seragusa’s knowledge of technology to get us up and operational.
Special Police Officer Luca Catania- Special Police Officer Catania was hired by the Fairfield Police Department on October 5, 2020. Prior to his appointment, he was a deputy sheriff with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. He attended the Passaic County Police Academy, graduating in August 2020. He is currently attending Passaic County Community College in pursuit of a criminal justice degree. Besides speaking English, Special Officer Catania is also fluent in Italian, Spanish and Arabic.
Special Police Officer David Norton- Special Police Officer Norton was hired by the Fairfield Police Department on October 5, 2020. Prior to his appointment, he was a deputy sheriff with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, graduating in July 2020. He attended Montclair State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies. He also works as a part time dispatcher with both the Verona and Little Falls Police Departments.
Special Police Officer Devon O’Donnell- Special Police Officer O’Donnell has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Morris County College. He is currently attending William Paterson University in pursuit of his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology. Special Officer O’Donnell will be attending the next available police academy class.
Special Police Officer Katrina Guevera- Special Police Officer Guevara is a former deputy sheriff with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, graduating the Essex County Police Academy in July 2020. She also served as a dispatcher with the North Plainfield Police Department. She attended Rowan University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Besides English, she is also fluent in Spanish.
Special Police Officer Michael Palma- Special Police Officer Palma is a member of the Montville First Aid Squad. He attended Montclair State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Special Officer Palma will be attending the next available police academy class.
“The promptness in which these hiring’s took place only occur because of the commitment that our governing body and administrator have in keeping Fairfield safe and secure. As chief, I thank them for that as it makes my job so much easier” said Chief Anthony G. Manna.
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna