Chief of Police Peter Fasilis and the command staff have selected Police Officer Richard Rodriguez as Officer of the Year for 2020. He has been a member of the North Bergen Police Department for two and a half years. He has spent those years assigned to the Patrol Division in Squad 3. Officer Rodriguez was previously selected as Officer of the Month for January and May of 2020.

In January, Officer Rodriguez was patrolling the motels on Tonnelle Avenue. He noticed a vehicle fitting the description from an officer safety TRAK Alert. He ran the license plate of the vehicle and confirmed it belonged to a party who was believed to be suicidal and possibly in possession of a firearm. The party was also wanted by other agencies. Officer Rodriguez entered the motel office and confirmed that this party had checked into the motel and was in fact inside the room. The party was taken into custody without incident. Officer Rodriguez exhibited vigilance and removed a potentially dangerous party off the streets.

In May, Officer Rodriguez responded to an accident where two male parties fled the scene. The video showed one of the parties was in possession of a handgun. Officer Rodriguez proceeded to canvas the area and observed two male parties matching the description. The parties separated and were stopped by officers. Officer Rodriguez used police investigative techniques and was able to obtain further information from the suspect. The suspect admitted to having a handgun, but stated it was a toy gun. The suspect pointed out the location he discarded the handgun. The handgun was located and collected for evidence. The handgun was determined to have been a CO2 airgun.

Officer Rodriguez is eager and motivated. In the short time he has been an officer, his eagerness has been extremely evident and has secured him a position as a Field Training Officer (FTO). Officer Rodriguez continues to make the Township of North Bergen a safer place for all residents and visitors.