Photo by City of Summit
Officers Castillo and Pons Sworn In
City of Summit
Summit Mayor Elizabeth Fagan, MD, presided over the swearing-in ceremony for new Summit police officers Yeriel Castillo and Robert Pons on August 2, 2024, at City Hall.
Officer Yeriel Castillo grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. After graduating from the Bergen County Police Academy, he was hired by the Paterson Police Department as a Patrol Officer. While in this role, he was appointed to the position of Officer in Charge. Officer Castillo has received several letters of commendation, specifically tied to his involvement with the safe apprehension of suspects in possession of firearms, as well as his response to a residential structure fire to help remove victims. Officer Castillo has also been inducted into the New Jersey Honor Legion and is a trained crisis negotiator, certified crisis intervention team member, and fluent in Spanish.
Officer Robert Pons grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and attended Thomas Edison State University, receiving an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate degree in Cybersecurity. Shortly after graduating from the Essex County Police Academy, Officer Pons was hired by the Chatham Boro Police Department as a Patrol Officer. He was appointed to the role of Officer in Charge and in 2022 he received a Life Saving Award.
