Guttenberg Police Promote Officers, Earn FBI-LEEDA Recognition

At the January 5 Town Council meeting in Guttenberg, two Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II (SLEO II) personnel were promoted to full-time police officers. P.O. Andy Reynoso and P.O. Lesley Avila received their new appointments during the ceremony.

Mayor Wayne D. Zitt swore in new officers V. Acosta and J. Negron, who recently graduated from the Hudson County Police Academy. Three new SLEO II officers—A. Sibri, R. Minaya, and M. Percella—were also sworn in, along with SLEO I officers A. Vassell, A. Ortiz, and J. Smith.

The Guttenberg Police Department received the FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award during the event. This award recognizes law enforcement agencies whose entire command staff completes the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Leadership Series, which includes the Supervisor, Command, and Executive Leadership Institutes.

Under Chief Frank Pelaez, the department’s command staff—comprised of the chief, two lieutenants, and two sergeants—has completed the full leadership training series. According to the department, this commitment aims to enhance leadership capacity and reinforce values of integrity, transparency, and professionalism.

Chief Pelaez expressed appreciation for his staff’s efforts and congratulated all newly appointed officers. He also thanked Mayor Zitt and the Town Council for their continued support of the department.