Executive Staff
UnderSheriff Ralph Rivera Jr.
Ralph Rivera Jr. has spent 30 years in law enforcement. After retiring as Major with the New Jersey State Police in 2004, Rivera was appointed by Sheriff Leo McGuire to serve as the Executive Undersheriff of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.
As the agency’s Chief of Staff, Undersheriff Rivera is responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of hundreds of sworn and civilian personnel. Rivera oversees administrative and budget matters as well as all of the Office's operational responsibilities.
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 40A:9-114, the Executive Undersheriff assumes the duties of the Sheriff in the event of his absence.
During his time with the New Jersey State Police, Rivera served as the Director of the Anti-Crime Partnership section, helping to coordinate law enforcement operations with local authorities in both Irvington and Camden, New Jersey.
Prior to his tenure as head of the Anti-Crime Partnership, Rivera served as the Deputy Executive Director of the New Jersey State Juvenile Justice Commission. In that role, Rivera supervised the care and custody of juvenile offenders committed to the agency by the courts as well as supported local efforts to provide services to at-risk youth.
Undersheriff Rivera is a graduate of the elite Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, an internationally recognized leadership training program for law enforcement executives around the country. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies from Fordham University as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Seton Hall University.
UnderSheriff Sharon McDonald
Sharon McDonald a 29 year veteran of law enforcement, was appointed by Sheriff Leo McGuire to serve as the Undersheriff of Administration for the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.
In that capacity, McDonald oversees the agency’s various administrative and civilian functions including enforcing court orders, administering foreclosure sales, writs, process serving and court executions. She also heads the agency’s Training, Accounting, Community Outreach and Mounted Unit Divisions.
Undersheriff McDonald spent more than two decades with the New Jersey State Police, including an assignment as the Bureau Chief of the Northern Anti-Crime Partnership in Irvington. During her tenure there, Undersheriff McDonald oversaw that initiative's efforts to assist the Irvington Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in combating crime and improving the quality of life for the residents of Irvington.
Prior to her assignment with the Northern Anti-Crime Partnership, McDonald served as the Chief of the New Jersey State Police's Special Services Bureau. In that capacity, she was responsible for the overall management and coordination of the NJ State Police's Ballistics, Composite Drawing, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Photography and Evidence Management Units, as well as for the maintenance of administrative records for the Bureau, and for the supervision of dozens of officers, detectives and support staff.
Undersheriff McDonald is a past recipient of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives Glass Ceiling Award, the Bronze Shields of the Newark Police Department Law Enforcement Award, the National Council of Negro Women’s Law Enforcement Award, the Attorney General’s Certificate of Appreciation for her Contributions in Major Narcotics Investigations, the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association Award for Outstanding Narcotic Investigations while a member of the NJ State Police CALICO unit and numerous Superintendent’s Letters of Commendation.
The Undersheriff is also an active member of numerous professional organizations including the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement, the National Black State Trooper Coalition, the New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association, Lady/Team Blue and Gold as well as the American MENSA Society.
Undersheriff McDonald attended Montclair State University and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Union College in New York State as well as a Master of Administrative Science Degree from Farleigh Dickinson University
UnderSheriff Allen F. Ust
Allen F. Ust was appointed by Sheriff Leo McGuire to serve as the Undersheriff of Corrections for the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.
Undersheriff Ust is responsible for overseeing hundreds of County Corrections Officers as well as ensuring the safe and orderly operation of the Bergen County Jail.
Undersheriff Ust spent almost thirty years with the Hackensack Police Department. Ust retired from the force in 2004 as Commander of the Hackensack Police Department's Juvenile Crime Division.
Ust has also served as Director of Hackensack's Police Youth Academy, commander of the 58 member Special Law Enforcement Officers Program and coordinator of Hackensack's Government Security Detail operations which was responsible for coordinating with the Secret Service as well as the State Department.
Undersheriff Ust has also proved integral in initiating the Sheriff’s own youth program, the Bergen County Youth Police Academy which is operated jointly with the Prosecutor’s Office and the Bergen County Police Department. Currently heading into its 3rd year, the program has already allowed the Sheriff’s Office to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of young adults.
Undersheriff Ust was also instrumental in the implementation of Sheriff McGuire’s S.T.A.R.T. (Sheriff’s Training and Redirection Team) program, this intense two week program run in cooperation with the Bergen County Family Court, Bergen County Family Guidance and Bergen County Probation attempts to reduce the juvenile recidivism rate by providing discipline, counseling, and leadership in a military format.
Undersheriff Ust is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hostage Negotiations School, the New York Police Academy Detectives School, the New Jersey State Police Academy and the Burlington County Police Academy. In addition, Undersheriff Ust holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Trenton State College.