Police Officer of the Year Luncheon 2022 Honors 34 NYPD Members
By Dom Provenzano, Marketing & Communications Manager, Photos by Steve White, Staten Arts Photography
On Wednesday, July 13, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance continued their longstanding tradition of honoring the best of Staten Island’s police officers at the 2022 Police Officer of the Year Awards.
The event, hosted at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn, recognized 34 members of the NYPD for their hard work and dedication. The event was sponsored by Amazon, FirstNet, Gerald Peters Inc., Northfield Bank, Richmond University Medical Center, and Sottile Security International Inc.
The Chamber’s Safety and Security Committee reviewed the compelling and unique recaps from the monthly recipients before selecting the prestigious Police Officer of the Year Award winners.
The event was kicked off by the NYPD Color Guard, rendition of the National Anthem by Police Officer Taylor Cannon, and an Invocation by NYPD Chaplain Bishop Victor Brown. The event’s opening remarks were presented by Chamber President & CEO Linda Baran.
“This event is near and dear to my heart,” said Baran. “Today is the business community’s way of thanking the NYPD for the work that they do in keeping our communities safe. It’s also a way to thank your families for all they ways they support you day in, and day out.”
Video by Andy Levison, Staten Island Community Television
Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon also lauded the work of the NYPD. “I am proud to work together every day with the men and women of the NYPD to keep this city - our hometown - safe and great place to work and raise our families,” said McMahon. “Thanks to you, Staten Island is the safest community of its size in the country.”
The event’s co-chairs, Gerald Amerosi and Salvatore Sottile, also offered words of support. “I’d like to recognize the people in this room that don’t get awards: NYPD families,” said Sottile. “Through all the uncertainty, sleepless nights, and sacrifice, these families are the backbone behind the heroes we are honoring today.”
The event drew a surprise guest: New York City Mayor and former Police Officer Eric Adams. “New York is invincible. America is invincible because New York is invincible. Those of you who were the uniform today are in a different time. Everyone has abandoned the law enforcement community. But I wish we had a DA McMahon all over this country,” said Mayor Adams to thunderous applause. “I’m asking every Chamber of Commerce in the City to do events like these. Don’t just say you support the police. We need to have billboards, full page ads, PSAs, and more events like this!"
“This city is coming back better and stronger than ever,” said Adams. “But that doesn’t happen without the NYPD. I wanna thank all of you who were honored today for believing in the possibility of our city, and what we can accomplish.”
Finally, NYC Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell presented the event’s keynote speech. “It is indeed an honor, opportunity and privilege to be able to address this impactful group of community and business leaders as you honor our detectives and police officers and sergeants and lieutenants with their heroic actions,” said Sewell.
The 2022 Detective and Police Officer of the Year Awards
Detective Raymond Buono of the 122 Precinct was awarded with the 2022 Detective of the Year Award. Detective Buono is responsible for the identification and arrest of 7 individuals responsible for the kidnapping and torturing of a male victim in November of 2021. The perpetrators cut the victim’s chest, burned his face and arms, took turns punching him in the face, and forced him to eat pet food on his hands and knees. Detective Buono apprehended these perpetrators without incident, and prosecution is pending by the Richmond County DA’s office.
Police Officers Khalaf Spencer and Aaron Espada of the 120 Precinct were selected as the winners of the 2022 Police Officer of the Year Award for their recovery of a 9mm m&p shield semi-automatic firearm and for obtaining a homicide confession. Officers Spencer and Espada’s dedication to keeping New York safe is exhibited in their excellent police work last January.
Special Thanks
This year’s Safety & Security Committee which selected the Police Officers of the Year were: Co-Chairs Gerald Amerosi of Gerald Peters Inc. and Salvatore Sottile of Sottile Security Services Inc. as well as committee members: William Amaniera (Richmond University Medical Center); Andrew Blay (BCB Community Bank); John DiCaprio; Mark Giacalone (IDB Bank); David Goodwin (Staten Island University Hospital); Detective Mary Kelly (NYC Police Department); Robert Kempster (Alpha Group Services LLC); Michael Laterza (Flash Security Integrators, Inc.); Thomas Mauro (Metro One Loss Prevention Services Group); Joseph Miller (MassMutual Financial Group-Lee, Nolan & Koroghlian); Mike Montalbano (TeamLogic IT); Dan Ryan (Staten Island Media Group); and Salvatore Sottile (Sottile Security International).
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblyman Michael Reilly, Councilman David Carr, and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon attended the Luncheon. Certificates were presented to the honorees from the offices of Congresswoman Malliotakis, Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, Councilman Carr, District Attorney McMahon, and Assemblyman Cusick.
List of Honorees
2021 Police Officer of the Month Honorees
January: Police Officer Khalaf Spencer and Police Officer Aaron Espada, 120 Precinct
February 2021: Sergeant Matthew Shaw and Police Officer Zachary Cullen, 122 Precinct
March 2021: Police Officer Michael Kirchhoffer and Police Officer Gregory Carosella, 120 Precinct
April 2021: Sergeant David Kosinski, Police Officer Matthew Shostak, and Police Officer Adam Aliotta, 121 Precinct
May 2021: Police Officer Marchelo Quagliata, 123 Precinct
June 2021: Lieutenant Richard Aseng, Police Officer Mehmet Gurpinar, and Police Officer Michael Ustick, 121 Precinct
July 2021: Police Officer Briana Simpson, Police Officer Rayjacques Aponte, and Police Officer Andrew Martinez, 122 Precinct
August 2021: Detective Besim Pelinku, SI Robbery Squad
September 2021: Police Officer Elon James-Robinson, and Police Officer James Biagini, 120 Precinct
October 2021: Police Officer Gabriel Cuadros, 123 Precinct
November 2021: Police Officer Beshouy Rizkalla and Police Officer Christina Basile, 122 Precinct
December 2021: Police Officer Latif Hasanbegovic and Police Officer Jadd Zahrieh, 122 Precinct
2021 Detectives of the Quarter Honorees
First Quarter 2021: Detective Christian Cayenne, 120 Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Eric Torres, SI Homicide Squad
Second Quarter 2021: Police Officer Antonio Caleca, 121 Precinct Detective Squad, Sergeant Robert Riviello, 121 Precinct Detective Squad, Sergeant Daniel Quinn, Detective Borough Staten Island, and Lieutenant Michael Katinas, 121 Precinct Detective Squad
Third Quarter 2021: Detective Besim Pelinku, SI Robbery Squad
Fourth Quarter 2021: Detective Raymond Buono, 122 Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Daniel Commender, 123 Precinct Detective Squad, and Detective Donald Maid, SI Homicide
Special Recognition to all members of DBSI Narcotics and Violent Crime Squad
