Mayor Solomon, JCPD Host First Police Recognition Ceremony, Honoring Officers Behind 21 Firearms Seized And Near-100% Clearance Rate On Shooting Investigations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Nathaniel Styer | Communications Director
[email protected]
Kim Wallace Scalcione | Public Information Officer
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MAYOR SOLOMON, JCPD HOST FIRST POLICE RECOGNITION CEREMONY, HONORING OFFICERS BEHIND 21 FIREARMS SEIZED AND NEAR-100% CLEARANCE RATE ON SHOOTING INVESTIGATIONS
Following National Police Week, Jersey City held its first-ever ceremony recognizing three specialized police units, all four police districts, two individuals, and eight civilian employees — including dispatchers, call takers, a school crossing guard, and parking and IT staff — for service that has strengthened public safety across the city
JERSEY CITY, NJ (May 20, 2026) — Mayor James Solomon, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, and Police Chief Robert Kearns today hosted Jersey City’s first Police Recognition Ceremony at City Hall Council Chambers, honoring sworn officers, three specialized units, all four police districts, two individual officers, and eight civilian employees for outstanding service and measurable contributions to public safety.
The honorees recognized today have driven specific public safety outcomes across the city, including 21 illegal firearms seized this year by the Street Crimes Unit, a nearly 100 percent clearance rate on shooting investigations by the Cease Fire Unit, and three barricaded-person-in-crisis incidents resolved peacefully by the Emergency Services Unit without the use of force.
“For too many years, the men and women of the Jersey City Police Department have shown up to every shift, every call, through every storm and every holiday without the recognition they deserved. We are changing that today,” said Mayor James Solomon. “This is the first Jersey City Police Department Recognition Ceremony, and we had the honor of recognizing units and districts who get guns off the street, de-escalate dangerous situations, and go beyond the call of duty. To every officer and civilian member recognized today – thank you.”
Unit Citations
The Street Crimes Unit, led by Captain Dennis Winters, was recognized for proactive plain-clothes enforcement targeting the most dangerous offenders in the city — work that has resulted in at least 21 illegal firearms taken off Jersey City streets so far this year.
The Cease Fire Unit, led by Lieutenant Jose Santana, was recognized for an extraordinary and nearly unprecedented clearance rate — approaching 100 percent — on shooting investigations, removing some of the most dangerous offenders from city streets and preventing additional acts of violence.
The Emergency Services Unit, led by Captain Jeffrey Gajewski, was recognized for responding to the department’s most complex and dangerous calls, including three barricaded-person-in-crisis incidents this year that were resolved peacefully, without the use of force.
All four JCPD police districts were also recognized for the everyday work of patrol officers responding to domestic violence calls, missing persons cases, serious accidents, and quality-of-life complaints in neighborhoods across the city: the East District (Capt. Frank Laraway), North District (Capt. Ian Gallagher), West District (Capt. Joe Olszewski), and South District (Capt. Michael Hulings).
Individual Officer and Civilian Recognition
The ceremony honored two individual personnel:
- Lieutenant Travis Ragland, Traffic Bureau, recognized for his leadership, availability at all hours, and willingness to assume responsibilities well beyond those typically expected of a lieutenant.
- Timothy Lawrence, Office of Emergency Management, recognized for supporting both police and fire response, deploying OEM mobile cameras and command systems, and serving as a skilled drone operator during snow emergencies, major incidents, and large city events.
Eight civilian employees were recognized for their essential contributions to public safety operations:
- 911 Dispatchers: Charles Melley and Jessica Rodriguez
- 911 Call Takers: Yolanda Dominguez and Sharon Curtis
- Information Technology: Simon Le
- Parking Enforcement: Lyndsey Dore
- School Crossing Guard: Sultan Goodman
- One Stop Shop: Jesenia Iscoa
“Each of the sworn officers, units, districts, and civilians recognized today has demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and service beyond the call of duty,” said Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. “Whether they are responding to violence, answering a 911 call, supporting officers in the field, helping children cross the street safely, or serving residents directly, their work makes Jersey City safer.”
“Police work is a team effort, and that team extends far beyond the officers on the street,” said Police Chief Robert Kearns. “Our officers rely on strong units, strong districts, skilled dispatchers, call takers, civilian staff, and community-facing employees who help support this department every day. Today’s recognition reflects the dedication, discipline, and pride that define the Jersey City Police Department.”
Memorial Ceremony and Exchange Place Alliance
Following the recognition ceremony, Mayor Solomon, Director Ambrose, and Chief Kearns participated in a Memorial Ceremony at the Jersey City Police Memorial Statue on Montgomery Street to honor members of the Jersey City Police Department who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the city. The ceremony included a wreath laying, a reading of the names of fallen officers, a moment of silence, and the playing of “Taps.”
The city also presented a plaque to the Exchange Place Alliance in recognition of its partnership with the Jersey City Police Department, including its support in relocating the historic police memorial statue to its current location.
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Nathaniel Styer
Communications Director | City of Jersey City
[email protected]