Berkeley Police Chief Retires After 26 Years Of Service

BERKELEY, NJ — Police Chief Karin DiMichele announced her retirement from the Berkeley Township Police Department on Friday.

DiMichele leaves behind a trail of accomplishments and historical firsts for Berkeley.

Karin DiMichele was hired in 1995 as Berkeley’s first female officer. She rose through the department's ranks and then in 2011 became the first female police chief in Ocean County history.

“On behalf of the Township Council, we want to thank Chief DiMichele for her years of dedication, service and leadership to the Township. It has been an honor to work with Chief DiMichele. We wish her and her family all the best in her well deserved retirement," Mayor Carmen Amato said.

On Aug. 1, 2011, then Lieutenant DiMichele made history when she was selected after receiving the highest score in the state on the promotional examination to be Berkeley's police chief.

Under her leadership, Berkeley Township became the first department in Ocean County to implement a body worn camera program. DiMichele also led the department’s advancements by digitizing reports and records.

Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, DiMichele and Amato worked with both school districts and the local PBA to permanently deploy officers to each school in Berkeley for daily security.

Alongside Amato, DiMichele guided Berkeley through the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

DiMichele looks forward to spending her retirement with her husband Tommy and two daughters Kelsey and Katelyn.

Deputy Chief Kevin Santucci was sworn in as Berkeley’s new police chief on Saturday.

Santucci began his law enforcement career with the Seaside Park Police Department in May 1999.

He was hired as a patrolman in Berkeley Township in July 2001 and was assigned to the patrol division.

In addition to his patrol duties, he served as a field training officer, was a member of the department’s marine unit, and in 2008 was assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group, assisting in narcotics and gang related investigations.

Santucci moved through ranks serving as sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy police chief through the years.

He is a former president of the Berkeley Township Superior Officers Association and is an active member of Chapter 10 of the Police Unity Tour.

Chief Santucci is married to his wife Jill of 18 years and has two sons, Gavin and Trevor.

“On behalf of the Township Council we wish to congratulate Deputy Chief Santucci on his promotion to Police Chief. Over the last 10 years, we have watched Chief Santucci grow. We have no doubt that Chief Santucci is the right person to lead the department in the future. We look forward to working with him,” Amato said.

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