CONGRATULATIONS
Verona Local members show new chief they’ve got his back
Verona Local 72 members stand behind
their new chief, both literally and figu-
ratively. And John Christopher Kiernan
wouldn’t have had it any other way when,
on Aug. 2, he was sworn in as the new chief
of police with Verona’s finest standing be-
hind him throughout the ceremony.
“It was an honor to stand with them,”
Kiernan noted. “That’s what made it feel
really special…to have all of them up there
showing that they have my back.”
Local 72 members stood proudly on
the front steps of the Verona Civic Center
while Kiernan’s family also participated in
the monumental moment. Kiernan’s wife,
Beth, and daughters Riley and Maggie held
the Bible while Kiernan took the oath as
chief.
Kiernan takes on this role after 28 years
as a Local 72 member. Over the course of
his career he has served as the Local pres-
ident, vice president and State Delegate
— experience that makes him more than
qualified for the job.
Kiernan looks forward to taking on the
role of chief and continuing to strengthen
Local 72 through data-driven technology.
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ AUGUST 2018
But what excites him most is the opportu-
nity to work with a group of officers he be-
lieves in and respects to the fullest.
“The reason I feel so ready is because
of the people I’m surrounded by,” Kiernan
stressed. “That sounds cliché, but it’s really
the people I work with that I’m most excited
about to continue to be a part of.”