Hopatcong's 1st Woman Police Explorers Sgt.

Hopatcong Police Officer kissed his daughter's forehead and spoke softly.

"You're official, kid," he said.

Stephanie Haffner was named the first Hopatcong Police Explorers sergeant at Wednesday night's council meeting at the . Before a small crowd and fellow police explorers, Haffener was sworn in by Mayor Sylvia Petill. Her father stood by her side.

"During her tenure as a police explorer she has shown great leadership and guidance for her fellow explorers," Petillo said. "For this reason she's being promoted to the rank of sergeant."

Petillo continued.

"Stephanie rides with a police officer at least once a month on patrol to gain knowledge and experience in achieving her goals," she said. "She's admired by her peers as someone they can turn to when they are seeking assistance. And she always makes herself available to them."

Robert Haffner has been with the for 14 years. Stephanie Haffner, a 19-year-old Sussex County Community College criminal justice major, hopes to follow in her father's footsteps.