Photos: Parsippany Promotes Five Officers

It was a packed room in the Parsippany council chambers. Mayor James Barberio and Chief Paul Philipps announced the promotions of five people:

• Captain Richard Pantina to Deputy Chief
• Lt. Andy Miller to Captain
• Lt. Sean Clark to Captain
• Sgt. Brian Dowd to Lieutenant
• Sgt. Yvonne Christiano to Lieutenant

Pantina was hired in July 1989 and assigned to the Patrol Division. Before he came Parsippany, Pantina served as a Police Officer in Elizabeth, NJ for about three years. He lives in Berkeley Heights with his wife and two children.

“Pantina has received awards for Exceptional Duty. He served as a Community Relations Officer in the Planning and Research Section, a Sergeant and Lieutenant in the Patrol Division, functioned as a firearms instructor and the department’s Assistant Firearms Coordinator and currently serves as the Division Commander of the Investigative Division. Pantina attended Union County College where he majored in Business. He is also a graduate of the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Program,” according to the police department.

Miller was hired in 1991 and assigned to the Patrol Division. Miller is the proud father of his son Zachary, who is a US Army Ranger.

“He served with the National Guard from 1988 – 1992 and has been a department Field Training Officer and member of the Emergency Response Team. In 1999 Miller was assigned to the Investigative Division, promoted to Sergeant, and reassigned to the Patrol Division where he was a supervisor for four years. He has also served as a Sergeant in the Investigative Division, a Lieutenant in Internal Affairs, a Lieutenant in the Patrol Division and is currently the Patrol Division Commander. During his career Officer Miller has been recognized for outstanding performance in the field including a Lifesaving Award and an Exceptional Duty Award. He has an Associate degree in Criminal Justice from the County College of Morris as well as a Masters in Administration from Farleigh Dickenson University. He is also a graduate of the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Program,” according tot he police department.

Clark graduated from Parsippany High School and was hired by the Township of Parsippany in August 1988. He is married with two children and is a resident of Parsippany.

“During his tenure he served in many capacities that included Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant and he is currently a Lieutenant in the Investigative Division. During his career, Lieutenant Clark has served as the Hostage Negotiator for the department’s former Emergency Response Team and was also a DARE Officer. He is a highly decorated officer receiving a Command Citation, Unit Citations and Exceptional Duty and Lifesaving awards. A graduate of Seton Hall University, Lieutenant Clark has a B.A. in Criminal Justice and also has a Masters of Administration from Farleigh Dickinson University. He is also a graduate of the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Program,” said the police department.

Dowd was hired in January 1999 and assigned to the Patrol Division. He is married with three children and is a resident of Cranford.

“Prior to his appointment with Parsippany, Dowd served as a Sheriff’s Officer with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he served for three years. During his tenure, he has received a Command Citation, Meritorious Service, Exceptional Duty and Lifesaving awards. During his career, Sergeant Dowd was a DARE instructor, served as Sergeant in the Patrol Division and is currently a Sergeant in the Investigative Division,” according to the police department.

Christiano was hired in July 1998 and assigned to the Patrol Division. Christiano is the daughter of retired Parsippany Police Officer Michael Christiano, who served from 1967 – 1992.

“During her assignment as a Patrol Officer, Christiano served as a Field Training Officer and was the recipient of an Administrative Commendation and a Lifesaving Award. She has served as a D.A.R.E. Officer and the Domestic Violence Community Response Team Liaison and is currently the department’s assistant Public Information Officer and a Firearms Instructor. During her tenure, Christiano also served as a Community Relations Officer in the Planning and Research section and she is currently a Sergeant in the Support Services Division. In 2011 she was named the Rotary Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and was also a 2011 honoree of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for Women’s Achievement in Law Enforcement. A graduate of Parsippany High School, Officer Christiano has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Sociology from New York University, and a Master’s in Public Administration and an Education Specialist degree from Seton Hall University,” according to the police department.