Top Cop

“WHEN I WAS a kid, I decided that if I couldn’t become a professional athlete, I wanted to be a cop,” says Pequannock Police Chief Dan Comune. He grew up a few streets away from Pequannock’s Town Hall and idolized a neighbor who served as a state trooper. That influence stayed with him through his school days, helping form the character ANTONIETTA needed in the office he now occupies.

As a student at both Pequannock Township High School and William Paterson University, Comune played football, becoming captain of his college team in his senior year. Along with fitness and education, his leadership skills developed, all combining when, after graduating, he entered the Morris County Public Safety Academy.

The course is tough. Recruits are trained in physical fitness, defensive tactics, firearms use and emergency driving. Along with learning skills, trainees must also pass academic tests.

Five months of intense training paid off, and on January 1, 1999, newly commissioned officer Dan Comune was welcomed into the Pequannock Township Police Department.

RISING THROUGH THE RANKS

Like every new hire, Comune started out as a patrolman. Working under a sergeant’s supervision, each recruit is assigned to a squad with three other officers and one dispatcher. Twelve-hour shifts are organized with a rotating schedule that changes every two weeks from daytime to long nights.

They patrol the town in one of a dozen vehicles, monitoring traffic, answering calls and providing a reassuring presence in all areas of Pequannock. Calls to 911 are monitored by the units’ own dispatchers and fielded by whoever is on duty. First aid and fire services are summoned as incidents require. It’s a systematic and efficient process, exhibiting the teamwork and structure evident throughout the department.

Five years into his career, Comune stepped up to sergeant. Promotions are attained through testing, time of service and leadership aptitudes. In his new role, administrative work entered the picture as he would now oversee daily procedures. Working with other sergeants and lieutenants, Comune filled his role with diligence as well as hard work.

In 2012, Sergeant Comune added the title of detective to his resume and later became the traffic sergeant, a crucial position in town.

In only seven square miles, we have five public schools, many preschools and several churches—all generating lots of vehicular and foot traffic. With two major business areas that continue to grow, as well as a stretch of Highway 23, the town’s traffic and detective bureaus are both busy.

Currently these departments are headed by the familiar names of Lieutenant Jeff Jones, who oversees all patrols, and Lieutenant Kevin Ricciardi, leader of the detective unit.

Moving up the ladder again, Sergeant Comune became Lieutenant Comune in 2014. Again he assumed more administrative duties, putting his management skills to work. And in 2019, he was promoted to captain, serving only one year at this job before 2020 crashed on all of us.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Along with the challenges of the pandemic, Comune’s beloved predecessor, Brian Spring, became seriously ill. As the town lent its support to Chief Spring’s final days, Comune moved from captain to acting chief and then into the top position.

Reflecting on challenges and rewards, he comments: “One of our difficulties is recruitment and retention. But our greatest reward is this town and its residents.”

Proud of how community service has flourished to support a safe and peaceful environment, Comune cites many examples.

Under the leadership of School Resource Officer Bill Juliano, daily police involvement in all our schools provides a consistent and supportive image. Juliano also runs the popular Junior Police Academy every summer, where lively youngsters can see for themselves what police work is like. With hands-on practice, participants experience a ride-along, physical training and team-building activities.

“It’s impressive to see these kids grow and develop confidence in one week,” says Comune.

Community services have grown in other aspects in the past few years. Prom talks for teens, scam seminars for senior citizens and car-seat checks for infants are all now routine offerings. Business watches and vacant-house monitoring are offered upon request. Bicycle safety is provided, and a bicycle rodeo is offered every summer at Greenview Park, where the helmet law is strongly emphasized.

EVENTS AND RECOGNITION

The department also holds two major fundraisers. The most recent was a hugely successful beefsteak that welcomed over 500 hungry patrons. And an upcoming golf outing will offer another opportunity for township residents and guests to have fun and support the cause.

Proceeds from these events provide substantial scholarships awarded each year to deserving Pequannock Township High School seniors. Our officers also support many sports teams as well as town wide causes when needs arise.

In August 2024, under the enthusiastic direction of Sergeant Steve Cicchetti, Pequannock held its first annual National Night Out. This is a national effort that promotes camaraderie between police departments and the public.

After an overwhelming success last year, plans quickly got underway for the 2025 event, scheduled August 5. Among other highlights, it will feature games, giveaways, food trucks, music and a dunk tank. (Don’t miss your chance to dunk Chief Comune!)

Finally, our Police Department is proud to announce that after a thorough procedure under the direction of Captain Robert Brown, we are fully accredited by the State of New Jersey. Not every town can claim this, so it’s a huge accomplishment for Pequannock.

With a salute to all of Pequannock’s finest, we are proud to offer the story of how a hometown kid became Pequannock’s top cop.

BY MARY SHUMEYKO