Crime & Safety

New Police Sergeant Named, Despite Patrol Concerns

Son-in-law of former town council president moves up from the investigative division.

Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany Police Chief Anthony DeZenzo and local law enforcement officers attended the Wednesday morning announcement that 13-year Parsippany Police vet Darren Theobald was promoted to sergeant.

Theobald is an experienced officer, police said. He received a police training certification from the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in 1999. He holds an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree there in Public Administration.

In Parsippany, Theobald, a graduate of has served as a patrol officer and now works with the Investigative Division as a detective. He has worked as a DARE Officer at Lake Hiawatha and Northvail schools and has received numerous awards, including a lifesaving award, unit citations and command citations.

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Theobald is the son-in-law of former Morris County Sheriff and former Town Council President John Fox.

The move comes during a longstanding debate within the town on police staffing and promotions.

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Barberio announced Theobald would serve as a patrol sergeant.

DeZenzo said the promotion is needed as there are a number of vacancies on the force. He said Theobald will be working "on the streets."

"I'm just looking forward to getting to work in my new job," Theobald said after the ceremony.

After Theobald was sworn in by Barberio, Marcus Dalakian was sworn in as a new full-time police dispatcher.


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