Bernards Township Cop Named 'Officer Of The Year'

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Bernards Township Police Officer was among three to be named Police Officer of The Year by the Congdon-Overlook Mason Lodge.

Bernards Township Police Detective Philip Jasina, Bernardsville Police Officer Saif Naqvi, and Far Hills Police Corporal Ryan Kamieniecki were each honored on Nov. 28, in their Lodge located at 15 Morristown Road (Route 202).

"Three Police Officers from different Somerset Hills Communities were honored by the Masons for their outstanding service to their respective communities," said Mason Lodge Leader Alex Aldea.

"This is our first in what will now be an annual tradition for the Masons. We presented recognition awards to officers from Bernardsville, Basking Ridge & Far Hills. Our goal is to extend this in 2024 to include Bedminster, Peapack-Gladstone & Long Hill," added Mason Lodge Community Director, Al LiCata.

The Chiefs of each Department outlined why the Officer was selected as this year's recipient from their ranks.

Bernards Township Police Detective Philip Jasina

Remarks from Bernards Township Chief Jon Burger with additional remarks by Deputy Chief Eric Galeta:

The Officer of the Year Award is being awarded to Detective Philip Jasina. Phil has been with the Bernards Township Police Department since 2013. During his time working in the department, he has distinguished himself as being an exceptional officer. He has represented Bernards Township very well, performing his duties and assignments with honor, integrity, and a high level of professionalism.

The first thing you come to know when you interact with Phil is the genuinely friendly and personable nature he exudes. As you come to know him even better, you can also see how well spoken he is and what a bright intellect he possesses. You also come to see that he truly values people in his displays and expressions of respect, concern and humanity toward his co-workers and the community of residents with whom he comes into contact. He is also a loving family man to his wife Alley and their two daughters.

Phil’s achievements over the past decade have been considerable. He graduated from Monmouth University with Cum Laude honors and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2010. He was then hired by the department in 2013, and while working, went on to attend Seton Hall University to obtain his master’s degree in human resources, which he completed in 2015. During his time as a patrol officer, Phil was recognized and elected by his peers as a delegate to the department’s PBA organization. He spent several years in that capacity representing patrol officers in contract negotiations. His performance in the patrol division was also noticed by his supervisors and merited him the assignment as School Resource Officer in 2020. He was appointed a short time later as the department’s Juvenile Officer and had a very successful run working with the teachers and kids in the schools. During this period, Phil also engaged in many community policing initiatives, giving tours of the police department to student groups, and being tasked with giving presentations to school and community groups on relevant police topics of concern.

In 2022, his performance again merited him an assignment in the department’s detective division. Since his time in the division, he has utilized his skills with great success in the investigation and resolution of assigned cases. Some notable examples include:

22-002091 – Det. Jasina conducted an 11-month criminal investigation into identity theft and fraud reported by a resident who lost $205,000. During the investigation, Det. Jasina issued numerous subpoenas to further the investigation. Det. Jasina was able to identify a suspect and screened this complicated case with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. SCPO authorized the suspect, who resides in California, to be charged with Theft by deception 2nd degree on a complaint warrant.

Det. Jasina participated in the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Youth Police Academy. This academy occurred during the week of July 24.

23-001253 – Det. Jasina conducted a six-month criminal investigation into theft by deception that occurred to a township resident’s bank account. The victim had over $27,000 withdrawn from their account fraudulently. Det. Jasina obtained numerous Somerset County Grand Jury Subpoenas for bank accounts, IP addresses, and emails. Det. Jasina developed a suspect from Washington state and was able to obtain a confession over the phone from the suspect. Criminal charges were authorized on a complaint summons by SCPO for 3rd degree receiving stolen property and 3rd degree theft by unlawful taking.

These are just some of the highlights of Detective Jasina’s career and past achievements. He has a very bright future ahead of him in the department. However, today, we honor Phil for his excellence with this award of Officer of the Year.

Bernardsville Police Officer Saif Naqvi

Police Chief John Remian said, "On behalf of the Bernardsville Police Department I would like to thank Al LiCata and the masons here from the Congdon-Overlook lodge for hosting this event and recognizing the hard work of our police officers. For our selection as 'Officer of the Year' we have chosen Ofc. Saif Naqvi. Saif, who has been with the department since 2017, is a valued member of our team. Throughout the past year he has demonstrated his growth and maturity as a police officer on a daily basis. In his primary assigned role as a patrol officer he is a department leader in several areas. On top of that responsibility though, Saif also teaches the LEAD program in the Bernardsville schools and is involved with coordinating other community programs such as Coffee w/ a Cop and National Night Out. Additionally, Ofc. Naqvi has an extensive background in the IT field and is credited with setting up our departmental website. For these and other accomplishments this past year Ofc. Saif Naqvi was chosen as the recipient of this award."

Far Hills Police Corporal Ryan Kamieniecki

Remarks made by Chief Michael DeCarolis:

Corporal, Ryan Kamieniecki is the Far Hills Police Officer of the Year! Cpl Kamieniecki has 8 years of distinguished service with the Far Hills Police Department. Over the years he has contributed countless hours to ensure that our department runs effectively and efficiently. In my opinion the Somerset Hills police departments have the most caring and professional officers to be found anywhere.

In addition, each town's PBA received a donation in the officer's name, on behalf of the Mason's Lodge.

The Officers and their families were treated to dinner prior to the awards ceremony and given an opportunity to meet & greet the Masons.