East Windsor Promotes Two Officers

East Windsor Township promoted two officers last week, and also approved salary increases that had previously been agreed upon.

After the retirement of former Lt. James Brady, Richard Bernstein rose to the rank of lieutenant and Scott Bodnar was promoted to the position of sergeant. In front of a room packed with officers and smiling family members Feb. 8, Mayor Janice Mironov extolled the hard work ethics and impressive resumes of the two men, both of whom joined the department in 1994.

Lt. Bernstein works as the liaison to schools, the county prosecutor's office and the media, and serves as counter-terrorism coordinator and abduction response team coordinator. He is now the investigative services commander. "He has 23 hours a day with all those responsibilities," the mayor said jokingly as she noted his many important duties.

"It takes a high degree of skill and sensibility in dealing with many different audiences and many different groups, and he does all of [his responsibilities] in a superior fashion," Mayor Mironov said. "It is really a very special opportunity and the number of people that have the chance to serve in this high a rank in the police department are limited. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication, and the type of service and commitment that Lt. Bernstein has shown in all the various capacities he has undertaken during his excellent career here in East Windsor Township."

Chief Bill Spain said Lt. Bernstein is only the 15th person to achieve the rank of lieutenant in the department's nearly 50-year history.

Sgt. Bodnar is a platoon supervisor in uniform services who, among his many accolades, has earned a lifesaving award.

"Sgt. Bodnar, in order to reach this point in his career, has had to have shown tremendous dedication to this department, a high level of skills and knowledge, and has had to perform in a superior fashion during the many years that he's been here in East Windsor Township," Mayor Mironov said.

"It's a special honor to reach this level and to reach it in such a high-quality department," she added.

Chief Spain said promotions are one of the best parts of his job.

"One of the true things that I enjoy about it is that I get to represent these wonderful folks, the outstanding individuals that compromise this police department," he said. "I'll be the first among you to formally congratulate you both."

Later in the meeting, the Township Council voted 6-0 to approve 1.5-percent salary increases for four unions—the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local No. 191, the Police Superior Officers’ Association of the NJSPBA Local No. 191 and the Teamsters Local Unions Nos. 469 and 676. They represent patrolmen and sergeants, lieutenants, the public works department and communications officers, respectively.

Mayor Mironov the raises were the result of an agreement the township made with the unions that included not giving them raises in 2010 and accepting contributions to their health benefits before it was required by law.