Despite National Challenges in Police Recruitment & Retention, JCPD’s Diversity Recruitment Efforts Continue to Pay Off
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Public Safety Director James Shea, Police Director Tawana Moody, and Police Chief Robert Kearns joined Jersey City’s finest today to swear in six new police recruits as officers of the Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) during a ceremony at City Hall Council Chambers today. The small but significant graduating class reflects the nationwide challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified law enforcement personnel, a priority that the administration continues to address proactively.
Since Mayor Fulop took office in 2013, the JCPD has significantly grown in size. With a continued emphasis on diversity, more than 700 new officers have been hired under his leadership, making Jersey City the largest municipal police department in the state. Today, nearly 75% of the department's officers represent minority populations, making the JCPD one of the most diverse police departments in the region.
“Despite facing our share of challenges, we are still light years ahead of where we were in 2013, not only in growing the size of our police department, but also in achieving historic reductions in crime and improvements in public safety across the board,” said Mayor Fulop. “These newly sworn officers exemplify the commitment, resilience, and desire to serve their community. Their addition to the force will further enhance public safety and strengthen relationships within our diverse neighborhoods.”
The 6 newest Jersey City police officers are:
- Pedro Lantigue Mejia
- Felipe Nunez-Zevallos
- Bryan Gunn
- Beshoy Bushra
- Shane Daly
- Mohamed Thornhill
Nationally, police departments are grappling with declining interest in law enforcement careers due to various factors, including increased scrutiny, evolving job demands, and the need for more competitive compensation and benefits. The JCPD has adapted its recruitment efforts to address these challenges, including targeted community outreach and a commitment to hiring candidates who reflect Jersey City's diversity.
“Our latest recruits are a testament to the continued dedication of individuals who are willing to answer the call to public service during a time when fewer people are choosing this path,” said Director Shea. “We recognize the uphill battle of recruiting while also ensuring we recruit individuals with the character and integrity needed for this critical role.”
“The five new officers bring fresh energy and ideas to the force as the city continues to enhance innovative strategies for community policing, deterring crime, and improving residents’ overall quality of life,” added Police Director Moody. “We remain focused on building a robust and diverse department that meets the evolving needs of Jersey City's dynamic community.”
“Each officer sworn in today represents the resilience of Jersey City,” concludes Chief Kearns. “We are committed to supporting these officers in their new roles and continuing to find innovative ways to recruit and retain the next generation of law enforcement.”
All media inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione at [email protected].