The Newark Police Department announces the promotion of four police officers and a police dispatcher effective this month:

Sergeant Chris Jones to Lieutenant
Master Corporal James Skinner to Sergeant
Corporal Aaron Olicker to Master Corporal
Corporal Joseph Kendrick to Master Corporal
Communications Officer Jamal Boanes to Communications Officer II

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to hold a formal promotion ceremony at this time.

Lt. Jones, an 18-year veteran, spent a significant portion of his career as a K-9 handler and was instrumental in starting the Newark Police K-9 program.  He is a Master Firearms Instructor and has been the Department’s primary firearms instructor for a number of years.  Lt. Jones will take over the Special Enforcement Division, which consists of the Traffic Unit, Special Operations Unit and Animal Control.

Sgt. Skinner, a 15-year veteran, previously worked as a Detective in the Family Services Unit of the Criminal Investigations Division.  He is the Team Leader of the Newark PD Critical Incident Stress Management Team.  Sgt. Skinner will command a patrol platoon in the Patrol Division.

M/Cpl. Olicker, an 8-year veteran, is a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor and a CPR/AED Instructor.  He is a member of the Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team.  M/Cpl Olicker will work as an assistant shift supervisor in the Patrol Division.

M/Cpl. Kendrick, a 19-year veteran, has worked in the Street Crimes Unit and is a Field Training Officer.  He also assists at major crime scenes as an Evidence Technician.  M/Cpl. Kendrick will work as an assistant shift supervisor in the Patrol Division.

CO II Boanes, a 7-year veteran, works in the 911 center as a call taker and dispatcher.  He is a certified emergency police dispatcher.  In his new role, he will train newly hired communications officers and will lead a shift of dispatchers.

The Newark Police Department congratulates all of these employees on their promotions and wishes them continued success in their new assignments.

The investigation by detectives into this shooting is ongoing.  Detectives have determined that at least two different firearms were fired during the course of this incident.

On February 16, 2021, Newark Police, with the assistance of the New Castle County Police, executed a search warrant at a residence in New Castle as part of this investigation.  Carlos Vasquez, 18, was taken into custody at the residence without incident.  Vasquez is believed to be one of the people that fired a gun during the course of the initial shooting.  He is not, however, believed to be the one that shot the victim.

Vasquez was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Reckless Endangering First Degree.  Vasquez appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $76,000 cash bail.  Vasquez was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.

This incident remains an active criminal investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. W. Anderson at (302) 366-7100 x. 3469 or wanderson@newark.de.us.  Additional methods for providing information to Newark Police can be found on our tips page, where reward information may also be available.

Prior Press Releases:
Update #1
Original Release