Mayor and Council Approve Police Department Promotions

Promotions to Lieutenant and Sergeants

WATCHUNG, N.J. - Mayor Jubin administered Oaths of Office after Council unanimously approved promotions of five (5) officers to the ranks of Lieutenant and Sergeant of the Police Department.

Lieutenant Peter A. LaVecchia began his career with the Watchung Police Department in July of 2008 after having graduated from the Somerset County Police Academy. Peter graduated from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA where he played baseball and received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. In April of 2013, Peter was assigned to the Detective Bureau. In July of 2014, Peter was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he served as a patrol supervisor. In October of 2021, Peter was reassigned to the Detective Bureau as the Special Service Sergeant, where he supervised the Detective Bureau, Traffic Bureau and the School Resource Officer Program. Pictured is Peter with his wife, Eileen and their three children, Elizabeth, Joseph and Reilly.

Lieutenant Peter LaVecchia with his wife Eileen and their three children, Elizabeth, Joseph and Reilly

Lieutenant James Kimock grew up next door in North Plainfield. He started his career with the Watchung Police Department in 2000 as a dispatcher. While in that role, he attended Thomas Edison State University and was later accepted into the Somerset County Police Academy Alternate Route Program. Jim graduated at the end of 2002 and returned to the Watchung Police Department as a patrolman in January of 2003. In 2012, Jim was assigned to the Detective Bureau. In June of 2017, Jim was promoted to Sergeant in the patrol division. Since 2021, he has served as the administrative sergeant in the records division. In addition, Jim has been a WPD firearms instructor since 2008. Jim is an avid cyclist and motocross racer. Pictured with him is his son Jeremy.

Lieutenant James Kimock with his son Jeremy

Sergeant Peter Cuevas started with the Watchung Police Department in 2018 after graduating from the Bergen County Police Academy. Prior to attending the police academy, Pete studied at Kean University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Pete started his career in Patrol where he diligently served Watchung's community. Throughout his time on Patrol, Pete worked on building community outreach events and programs through involvement with the Watchung PBA. In 2021, Pete received the Life Saving Award for encountering and providing aid to the victim of a serious motorcycle accident. In 2022, Pete became the departments DARE Instructor where he currently teaches 5th grade students at Valley View Middle School. In 2023, Pete became a Field Training Officer where he mentored some of the department’s newer officers. Later that same year, he was assigned as Watchung's first School Resource Officer. Pete grew up in Somerset County and is pictured with his family.

Sergeant Peter Cuevas with his family

Sergeant Andrew Pero has dedicated the last 20 years of his career to serving his community at both the local and federal levels. Since 2013, Andrew has been part of the patrol division of the Watchung Police Department. Prior to joining our community, Andrew was as a police officer in Lavallette. In addition to his law enforcement duties, he also serves as a Boat Recovery Leader for the Somerset Dive Team. Andrew started his career in 2004 when he joined the United States Coast Guard where he was stationed in New Jersey and patrolled the waters from New England to the Southern Caribbean. Like his father, a retired Paterson Police Officer, Andrew now proudly joins him with the rank of Sergeant.

Sergeant Andrew Pero

Sergeant Brian McLaughlin started his career in Law Enforcement with the Seaside Heights Police Department and graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in May of 2010. Brian started with the Watchung Police Department in April of 2013, where he was assigned to the Patrol Division. While in patrol, he assisted the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force. In 2019, Brian became a Firearms Instructor who trains new, current, and retired members. In 2021, Brian became a Field Training Officer and was entrusted with training new officers. In 2022, Brian was assigned to the Detective Bureau. Pictured here is Brian with his wife Erica and their two daughters, Isla and Natalie.

Sergeant Brian McLaughlin with his wife Erica and two daughters, Isla and Natalie.