Dunellen Borough Police Department Announces Promotions of New Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeants Following Approval at September 3 Council Meeting

Dunellen, NJ – September 4, 2024 – The Borough of Dunellen and Dunellen Borough Police Department are excited to announce the promotions of Dunellen Police Officers, Captain Christopher Beenders, Lieutenant John Doherty, Sergeant Jonathan DeAngelo, and Detective Sergeant Nicholas Goldman. These promotions were officially approved at the September 3 Council Meeting by Mayor Jason F. Cilento and the Dunellen Borough Council.

“As a member of the Dunellen Borough Council and the Chair of the Police Committee, I’m incredibly proud to see Capt. Beenders, Lt. Doherty, Sgt. DeAngelo, and Det Sgt. Goldman enter these exciting new chapters of their careers. I wish them all the best in their new roles, and I look forward to their continued success as they serve our community,” said Councilman Hal VanDermark.

“The Borough of Dunellen is very fortunate to have so many incredible officers on our police force and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to lead and push the department forward. These promotions are a testament to the quality of their careers thus far and their commitment to the safety and well-being of our Miracle Mile. I congratulate Capt. Beenders, Lt. Doherty, Sgt. DeAngelo, and Det Sgt. Goldman and I know they will continue to make us proud,” added Mayor Jason F. Cilento.

Captain Beenders, who has been with the Dunellen Borough Police Department for 27 years, was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant, making him the first Police Captain in almost 30 years. During his service with the Dunellen Police Department, Captain Beenders has held numerous roles within the department and received many awards throughout his career from the apprehension and arrest of a burglary in progress to most notably the apprehension of a suspect with a gun. Capt. Beenders will oversee the administrative responsibilities within the department.

Lieutenant Doherty was promoted from the rank of Sergeant, which he’s held since 2011. Lt. Doherty has been a member of the Dunellen Borough Police Department since 2002 where he started as a Patrolman. Throughout his 22 years serving Dunellen, he held numerous responsibilities and has been recognized with awards and citations for various acts throughout his career, from life-saving awards to gun and drug arrests. Lt. Doherty will command and oversee the Patrol Division.

Sergeant DeAngelo joined the Dunellen Borough Police Department in 2004 and throughout his 20-year career, has held many responsibilities including his most recent assignment as Detective since 2020. He has received several awards throughout his career most notably a money laundering investigation that resulted in the seizure of $45,600 to receiving a Meritorious Service Award for saving a kidnapped victim of a Sexual Assault and apprehension of the suspect in 2023. Sgt. DeAngelo will serve as a Patrol Squad Supervisor.

Detective Sergeant Goldman has served in the Borough of Dunellen since 2014. Throughout his 10 years in Dunellen, he has held numerous assignments, with his most recent assignment being in the Detective Bureau. He has received numerous awards throughout his career most notably an Exceptional Duty Award in 2019 for a Narcotics Seizure of Cocaine with a $10,000 street value to an Honorable Service Award in 2020 for the apprehension of an Armed Robbery suspect. Det Sgt. Goldman will serve as the Supervisor of the Detective Bureau.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with and watching these officers grow throughout their careers and I’m proud to see them advance into positions of leadership. These hard-working individuals always go the extra mile for their fellow officers and the Dunellen community, and I congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions,” said Dunellen Borough Police Chief Dan Smith.