Bayonne Police Chief Niekrasz announces retirement

BAYONNE – Bayonne Police Chief Drew Niekrasz announced his retirement, effective at the end of June, after nearly 30 years in law enforcement, according to a statement from the Chief Niekrasz. Current Deputy Chief Drew Sisk will become the new Chief of Police.
Niekrasz, 53, was promoted to police chief in July of 2015 after serving as deputy chief for seven years. He was sworn in as a police officer in Bayonne on March 21, 1988.
A decorated police chief, Niekrasz started his career in school. He worked his way up the ranks from an officer to sergeant in 19 years after attending Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute of Police, and attended the FBI National Academy. He earned his Bachelor of Science in administration of justice from Rutgers, and a Master’s Degree in human resource training and development from Seton Hall.
“I am grateful for the many opportunities I have been given in my time with the department, and I retire knowing full well that the department is in good hands under incoming Police Chief Drew Sisk,” said Chief Niekrasz in a statement. “And that the men and women of the Police Department will continue in their day-to-day efforts to keep Bayonne a safe community to live, work and enjoy life.”
He also thanked city administrators, the Police Department, and individuals whose “efforts served as the foundation” for his success throughout the years.
As police chief, Niekrasz has promoted what he calls a “service-oriented” department, where community building and safety go hand-in-hand. “When we have the availability of manpower to put officers on foot, it’s always beneficial,” Niekrasz said at the National Night Out event, hosted by the BPD in August of 2016. “It helps maintain those bonds where people can talk to a cop and get to know them.”
Like all good police departments, safety is paramount, and in Bayonne, emergency responders and police alike pride themselves on responsiveness.
“When someone calls the Police Department, we’re going to send an officer over for most anything,” Niekrasz said. “If we determine it’s not our responsibility, we’ll send them in the right direction. Bayonne has always been that way, very service-oriented.”