by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 9:25pm ESSEX FELLS, NJ - After 30 years of service, Essex Fells Police Chief Vincent A. Kulik, Jr. said a fond farewell to his department and fellow law enforcement officers during a walk-out in his honor yesterday afternoon. Escorted by the drone of a bagpipe, Kulik stepped out from the Roseland Avenue station into a double wall of saluting officers waiting to wish him well. On hand were many of the West Essex area police chiefs, along with Essex County officials. "Thank you, everyone, for being here Born in Jersey City, Kulik grew up in Livingston and graduated from Livingston High School in 1975. After graduating from Union County Technical Institute in 1977 he was employed as a technician for the RCA Service Company (which later became General Electric) where he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1430 in New York City. In January 1987, Kulik began his law enforcement career as a chanceman with the Livingston Police Department and in May of that same year graduated from the Essex County Police Academy. Essex Fells recruited the future chief as a patrolman in July 1988, and then promoted him to Sergeant in January 1998. Kulik became Essex Fells Chief of Police on Oct. 6, 2009, leading a 12-person police force. During his time heading up the department, Kulik instituted a Motorcycle Unit, Narcotics Unit, and updated the rules and regulations to comply with NJSACOP accreditation. Kulik oversaw the remodeling of the Essex Fells police facility, added a Firearms Cleaning Unit, installed workstations for Department Supervisors, and enhanced security. Kulik is currently completing his Masters in Administrative Science at Fairleigh Dickenson University, where he also completed his undergraduate studies. Over the years, the retiring chief attended numerous police courses offered by Caldwell University, Essex County College, The Institute of Police Technology and Management, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Northwestern University, and Rutgers University. Kulik's certifications include:
Kulik served in 2015 and 2016 as the President of the Association of Chiefs of Police of Essex County and is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. He's also been a longtime member of the Livingston Fire Department for 42 years. His other associations include the Livingston Benevolent Paternal Order of Elks Lodge 1855, The New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association (West Essex PBA Local 81), Essex County Emerald Society Chapter Number 1, and the Knights of Columbus #3533 of Livingston. Vincent and his wife, Judy have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of Lianne, 27, a teacher of history at Long Branch High School and Michael, 23, a New Jersey State Trooper. Recently, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored Kulik with a Commendation in recognition of his 30 years of dedicated service. At yesterday's walk-out, the officers applauded as Kulik made a point of symbolically handing over the department's flag to his soon to be predecessor, Lieutenant William Theilacker, who has been with the township since 1990. "I'm happy to report that unlike the last time when I got made chief, this time everything is in order," Kulik chided. "So I can take this flag from our department and "I'm not a great one for making a lot of words As the bagpipe played again, the retiring chief made his way through the wall of his fellow officers while they wished him well. "Thank you all for being here it's been a great run." Comments are closed.
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