06/14/2026
Honorary Chief for a Day – Jared Valdivia
Yesterday, the Moonachie Police Department had the privilege of recognizing Jared Valdivia, a fourth-grade student at Robert L. Craig School, as our Honorary Chief for a Day.
Jared was sworn in by Mayor Dennis Vaccaro, members of the Borough Council, and Moonachie Police Chief Richard Behrens during a special ceremony attended by family, school staff, and members of the Moonachie Police Department.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Jared toured the Moonachie Police Department and then returned to Robert L. Craig School, where he had the opportunity to share his special day and proudly show off his Honorary Chief uniform to his friends and classmates.
Jared then joined Chief Behrens, his parents, school representatives, and officers from the department at the Bergen County Courthouse for the annual Honorary Chief for a Day event. There, Jared met other honorary chiefs from police departments throughout Bergen County and participated in a variety of exciting activities.
The children had the opportunity to explore specialized law enforcement equipment, including SWAT and bomb squad vehicles, and enjoyed a K-9 demonstration. The event also featured a large police motorcade procession to Space Events in Englewood, where participants gathered for lunch and a special recognition ceremony.
To commemorate the occasion, Jared was presented with a plaque and a gift from the Moonachie Police Department in recognition of his service as Honorary Chief for a Day and to help him remember this special experience for years to come.
The day concluded with Jared and his family, Chief Behrens, and members of the Moonachie Police Department spending time together playing arcade games, sharing laughs, and celebrating this memorable honor.
The Moonachie Police Department is proud to participate in the Honorary Chief for a Day program and remains committed to making this experience meaningful and unforgettable for the children and families involved. We would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff's Office for organizing this wonderful event and providing such a memorable experience for all who attended. Congratulations, Chief Jared! We were honored to spend the day with you.
