The New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association has elected Peter Andreyev, a police officer from Point Pleasant Beach, to succeed Patrick Colligan as president of the state’s largest law enforcement union.
Colligan announced his retirement in March after eleven years as union president and 31 years as a police officer.
“Being sworn in earlier today brought a tremendous feeling of pride in having the opportunity to fight for the thousands of amazing men and women represented by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association,” said Andreyev. “Of course, that feeling was followed very quickly by the recognition that we have an enormous amount of work ahead of us. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to learn from leaders like Pat Colligan and Marc Kovar in our successful efforts to achieve real pension and health care benefit reform and amend Daniel’s Law to make sure it is truly effective for our members.”
Michael Freeman, a Summit police detective, replaced Andreyev as executive vice president.
“I know that we follow in the footsteps of others who came to work every day with one goal in mind, and that was to make sure our brothers and sisters in law enforcement had people fighting on their behalf at every turn,” Freeman stated. “I’m excited to stand with President Andreyev and the rest of our leadership team on the frontlines in those fights.”
Andreyev cited the Colligan’s influence on his preparation to assume the top union post.
“One of the many things I learned as part of President Colligan’s leadership team is to surround yourself with dedicated individuals always willing to take up the fight for our members and I know I have that with Michael Freeman and the rest of our team.”