Highland Park holds annual awards
ceremony and promotions
On July 11, the Highland Park Police Department had its an-
nual Awards and Promotion Ceremony.
The first set of awards went to Middlesex County Prosecutor’s
Office Local 214 Detectives Sean McGraw and Allie Bitterman,
who were honored for their lead roles in the sexual assault in-
vestigation that lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Awards were given to Highland Park Local 64 members Ser-
geant Derek Wenskoski, Officer Sean Garley, Officer Alaina
Giles, and Officer Joe Olarra Jr., who were recognized for the
delivery of a premature baby.
Sergeant Rick Abrams was promoted to lieutenant. He has
been with the Highland Park Police Department since 2003.
Lieutenant Abrams is the department’s firearms instructor
and also a member of the Middlesex County Special Response
Team.
Patrolman John Sachau was promoted to sergeant. He has
been a member of Local 64 since 2007. Since then, he has
served in the detective bureau, where he became an arson in-
vestigator. Sergeant Sachau is also one of the patrol field train-
ing officers and a motorcycle officer.
Patrolman Joe Curbelo also was promoted to sergeant. Since
joining the Highland Park Police Department in 2006, he has
served in several areas and is currently the youth officer. d
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ AUGUST 2017
From left, Sergeant John Sachau, Lieutenant Rick Abrams and Sergeant Joe
Curbelo.