East Orange, NJ, August 25, 2020: In what will be a historical promotion ceremony, Mayor Ted R. Green, the East Orange City Council, Public Safety Director Dominick Saldida and Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi are proud to announce the promotion of three lieutenants of the East Orange Police Division to positions of captain, including the installation of the first Hispanic captain in the city’s history and the second and third black female captains.
The promotional ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 26 at 5pm at East Orange City Hall Plaza.
Lieutenant Raymond Garcia will make history as the first Hispanic officer to achieve the rank of captain in the East Orange Police Division, while Lieutenants Carla Lassiter and Erika Horsley both add to the growing diversity of the police division as the second and third female African American captains.
“Creating a diverse and inclusive police force has been a priority for my administration. We are a community of many backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures, which happens to be one of our greatest strengths,” said Mayor Green. “In a time when relations between police and many minority communities are under extreme scrutiny and pressure, I am extremely proud to lead a city where representation matters and diversity is reflected within our public safety department and among the highest ranks of law enforcement.”
EOPD has been nationally recognized and cited among urban public safety departments as mirroring the community it serves. In 2017, Phyllis Bindi was named as the city’s first female chief, furthering the charge to establish a progressive internal division. Currently, nearly 85% of officers within the police division are minorities, and approximately 25% are women.
“As a woman chairing the Department of Public Safety, I am thrilled to have two female captains join the ranks of an all-male captain police force. I am also excited about our history-making moment of having our first Latino captain join our ranks as well,” said First Ward Councilwoman Amy Lewis. “This is a just a testament of the true diversity that the City of East Orange represents.”
Lt. Raymond D. Garcia
Garcia was hired as an East Orange police officer on January 7, 2002. Captain Garcia has commanded several units throughout his career and is currently in command of the Violent Crimes Task Force.
Lt. Ericka K. Horsley
Horsley was hired as an East Orange police officer on January 9, 1995. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2008 followed by Lieutenant in 2016. Throughout her career, Captain Horsley has held various roles within the division, but has been a Patrol Commander for the majority of career.
Lt. Carla H. Lassiter
Lassiter joined the East Orange Police Department on August 4, 1999. Her extensive experience in law enforcement led her to command several units throughout her career including Internal Affairs. She currently serves as a member of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
WHO: Mayor Ted R. Green, East Orange City Council, Director of Public Safety Dominick Saldida, and Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi
WHAT: EOPD Promotion Ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 @ 5pm
WHERE: East Orange City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ
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