Five Bayonne Police Officers Receive Promotions

Bayonne Holds Promotional Ceremony for Five Police Officers

Editor’s note: We previously covered Bayonne’s promotion of several fire chiefs and captains promoted partly due to upcoming retirements of firefighters in those positions. 

On February 6, the Bayonne Police Department held a promotional ceremony for five police officers. The newly promoted officers are Captain Kevin Lapinski, Captain Thomas Hojnacki, Sergeant Gregory Nicholson, Sergeant Keith Young, and Sergeant Daniel Bilotta.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Jimmy Davis congratulated the promoted officers’ families. He said that the new captains and sergeants would “make those who work under you better officers.” Mayor Davis called the Bayonne Police Department “the best police department in the world,” and referred to Bayonne as “one of the safest cities in the United States.”

Public Safety Director Robert Kubert called the promotions “well-deserved.” He predicted that the promoted officers “will live up their oaths.” Director Kubert said, “They are all very good at what they do.” He thanked Mayor Davis and the City Council for supporting the staffing and equipment needs of Police Department and the entire Public Safety Department.

Police Chief Robert Geisler called the new captains and sergeants “very well-rounded professionals.” He added, “Each has proven himself.” Chief Geisler explained that recent retirements led to the need for the promotions. He cited more than 90 retirements in the department over the past five years. The chief referred to the Bayonne police force as “a very young department in need of qualified supervision.”

Referring to the newly promoted officers, Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker said that “I know all of them individually,” and that “the city is in good hands.” He congratulated the promoted police, and said that their families “earned it, too.”

Captain Kevin Lapinski was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 1998. He is a graduate of Marist High School, and continued his education at Kean University, focusing on Physical Therapy. His departmental assignments have included the Patrol Division, the Community Oriented Policing Unit, the Detective Bureau, and such specialized units as the Juvenile Aid Bureau, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Unit, and the Auto Theft Unit. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2014 and to Lieutenant in 2020. He is the recipient of two Commendations and six Excellent Police Service Awards.

Captain Thomas Hojnacki was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 1990. He is a graduate of Bayonne High School. In the department, he has served in the Patrol Division and is assigned currently to the Detective Bureau. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2016 and to Lieutenant in 2020. He is the recipient of one Valor Award, one Meritorious Police Service Award, ten Commendations, and 36 Excellent Police Service Awards. In 2005, he was recognized as the Bayonne Police Department Emerald Society Officer of the Year.

Sergeant Gregory Nicholson was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 2016. He is a graduate of Bayonne High School. Before becoming a police officer, he served for six years in the U.S. Navy. He was also a New Jersey State Corrections Officer and a Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer before joining the Bayonne Police Department. He was part of the Patrol Division before joining the Traffic Enforcement Unit. Over the years, Sergeant Nicholson has received several letters of appreciation from the citizens of Bayonne.

Sergeant Keith Young was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 2004. He is a graduate of Bayonne High School. Before joining the Bayonne Police Department, he served as a State and County Corrections Officer. During his time with the Bayonne Police Department, he has been assigned to the Patrol Division, the Narcotics Unit, and the Traffic Enforcement Unit. He is the recipient of one Excellent Police Service Award and numerous letters of appreciation from the citizens of Bayonne.

Sergeant Daniel Bilotta was appointed to the Bayonne Police Department in 2000. He is a graduate of Bayonne High School. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Science. During his time with the department, he has served in the Patrol Division, the Cops in Schools Unit, and is assigned currently to the property and Evidence Unit. He has received two Commendations, one Meritorious Police Service Award, one Unit Citation, four Excellent Police Service Awards, and numerous letters of appreciation.

Bayonne police promotions: Five newly promoted Bayonne police officers posed with leaders of the City of Bayonne and the Bayonne Police Department. There are two new captains and three new sergeants. Pictured left to right: Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Public Safety Director Robert Kubert, Captain Kevin Lapinski, Captain Thomas Hojnacki, Sergeant Gregory Nicholson, Sergeant Keith Young, Sergeant Daniel Bilotta, Deputy Police Chief Joseph Scerbo, and Police Chief Robert Geisler. Image Credit – City of Bayonne

Banner Image:  Bayonne police promotions: Five newly promoted Bayonne police officers posed with leaders of the City of Bayonne and the Bayonne Police Department. There are two new captains and three new sergeants. Pictured left to right: Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Public Safety Director Robert Kubert, Captain Kevin Lapinski, Captain Thomas Hojnacki, Sergeant Gregory Nicholson, Sergeant Keith Young, Sergeant Daniel Bilotta, Deputy Police Chief Joseph Scerbo, and Police Chief Robert Geisler. Image Credit – City of Bayonne

City of Bayonne

Bayonne is a community that retains many of the elements of a small town. One and two family homes, small apartment buildings, and small business predominate. There is a population of 62,000 people who take pride in their hometown and its history. Bayonne residents and their ancestors moved to the city from many parts of the world. During colonial times and the first century of the American Republic, the Dutch, British, and Africans were the first groups to arrive after the Native Americans. Subsequent waves of immigrants came from all over Europe, especially between the 1880s and the 1920s. In recent decades, sources of immigration have largely been represented from countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeastern Asia. Each group has left its mark on the cultural, religious and political life of the community.