Hazlet Police Officers, Staff Recognized For Jobs Well Done

HAZLET, NJ — This week saw a special event at the Township Committee, with the promotions, hirings and recognition of many members of the Hazlet Township Police Department, both officers and staff.

Chief Ted Wittke with the Mayor and Committee presented the awards on Tuesday, July 18.

And the governing body itself was acknowledged:

"These promotions and new officers would not be possible if it wasn’t for the fact that they understand the importance of succession planning, making sure that when officers retire we fill those voids in order to continue running efficiently," Wittke said in the posted announcement.

Here is a brief recap of those who were recognized, and there is much more detail on the department website, too.

Two veteran officers were promoted. Mayor Michael Sachs administered the oath of office in promoting Robert Dickens to the rank of lieutenant and Patrick Wood to the rank of sergeant. Both will be assigned as supervisors in the Patrol Division.

Also sworn in were three new police officers, Kevin Furlong, William Poulos and Shane Hicks who will attend the Monmouth County Police Academy starting July 24.

Sachs read a proclamation honoring recently retired Officer Thomas Enright and the years of service he spent serving the residents of Hazlet.

Chief Wittke closed out the ceremony with recognizing civilian and sworn staff, who surpassed their everyday duties during the last year. The awards that were presented were:

• Letter of Recognition: Administrative Assistant Rhonda Schultz
• Letter of Recognition: Deputy Chief Robert Mulligan, Lt. Robert Dickens
• Squad Award: Lt. Robert Dickens, Patrolman Patrick Kiley, Patrolman Cody Sachs, Patrolwoman Danielle LaCapria
• Meritorious Award: Patrolman John Corcione
• Squad Award: Sgt. Edward Schmidt, Patrolman Nicholas Hungerford, Patrolman Michael Pease, Patrolman Rocco Serpico and Patrolman Michael Vamos
• Letter of Recognition: Sgt. Edward Schmidt, Patrolman Joseph Eckel, Patrolman Cody Sachs, Patrolman Nicholas Hungerford, Patrolman Michael Pease and Det. Steven Venticinque
• Honorable Service: Sgt. Edward Schmidt, Det. Michael Tristao, Patrolman John Corcione, Patrolman Nicholas Hungerford, Patrolman Joseph Eckel
• Exceptional Service: Lt. Robert Dickens, Patrolman Patrick Kiley, Patrolman Cody Sachs, Det. Steven Venticinque
• Letter of Recognition: Det. Lt. Kevin Geoghan, Det. Michael Tristao, Det. Russell Surdi, Det. Steven Venticinque
• Life Saving Award: Patrolman Kevin Quinn, Patrolman Joshua Wagner
• Exceptional Service Award: Sgt. Tara Theis
• Squad Award: Patrolman Rocco Serpico, Patrolman Kevin Quinn, Det. Steven Venticinque, Det. Russell Surdi

You can click here to view the details on why each recognitions was awarded. Officers were engaged in a vast variety of services: saving a baby who overdosed on a drug; responding to a gas station robbery; helping calm a suicidal man; setting up a summer reading program and more.