PORT AUTHORITY POLICE PROMOTES MEMBERS TO LEAD DEPARTMENT

Date: Nov 07, 2005
Press Release Number: 133-2005

Department Promotes Two Assistant Chiefs, Two Inspectors and One Captain

Twenty-three members of the Port Authority Police Department were promoted today in a ceremony held in Newark, N.J., including two new assistant chiefs, two inspectors, one captain, two lieutenants, 14 sergeants and two detectives.

“Last month, agency staff proposed a record total of more than $625 million in security operating and capital expenditures for 2006, which would bring total security expenditures by the agency to more than $2.3 billion since 9/11, and nearly $2.9 billion since the start of 2000,” Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said. “Taken together, that fact and these promotions perfectly illustrate the agency’s commitment to ensuring the highest levels of security and public safety.”

Port Authority Vice Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, “We have made a host of security improvements at our airports, bridges, tunnels, bus terminals, PATH system and seaports, and as our security practices evolve, our police command structure is evolving as well.”

Port Authority Executive Director Kenneth J. Ringler Jr. said, “These assistant chiefs, inspectors, captains, sergeants and detectives have demonstrated that they possess the talent and leadership skills necessary to help guide this great police department. Public safety is our first priority, and these new leaders will help ensure it.”

Port Authority Director of Public Safety/Superintendent of Police Samuel J. Plumeri Jr. said, “Today is a proud day for the Port Authority Police. These law enforcement officers accept new responsibilities that will help lead one of the finest departments in the nation as it works to protect those who live, work or travel through the bistate metropolitan area.”

Created in 1928, the Port Authority Police Department has approximately 1,600 officers and commanders. Its responsibilities include law enforcement, the protection of life and property, and the safety and security of Port Authority facilities.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates many of the busiest and most important transportation links in the region. They include John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports; AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark; the George Washington Bridge and Bus Station; the Lincoln and Holland tunnels; the three bridges between Staten Island and New Jersey; the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid-transit system; the Port Authority-Downtown Manhattan Heliport; Port Newark; the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal; the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island; the Brooklyn Piers/Red Hook Container Terminal; and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. The agency also owns the 16-acre World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. The Port Authority is financially self-supporting and receives no tax revenue from either state.