New Officers Join Manchester Police Force

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Police Department welcomed two new officers to the force during a ceremony at the Township Council meeting.

Tyler O’Brien and Colin Geraghty took their oaths as patrol officers at the Aug. 11 meeting, the police department said.

O’Brien, 29, began his law enforcement career in 2018 with the Seaside Park Police Department. After his first summer with the department, he was selected to return to the academy as a Class II SLEO candidate. He graduated in 2019 and received the High Marksmanship Award. Following another summer season with Seaside Park Police, O’Brien was hired by the Deal Police Department as a Class II SLEO. In 2021, he transferred to the Pemberton Borough Police Department, where his superiors quickly recognized his dependability, strong work ethic, and eagerness to continue learning and growing as an officer.

Geraghty, 27, began in 2019 as a Class I Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Beach Haven Police Department. He served the community for three consecutive summers and volunteered with their Police Athletic League. In 2022, Beach Haven selected him to attend the Ocean County Police Academy, where he graduated and served as a Class II officer that summer, earning a Lifesaving Award. Later that year, he joined the Hightstown Police Department as a full-time officer, proudly serving for nearly three years. During that time, he continued to grow as a knowledgeable, steady, and well-rounded officer.

"As they take the next steps in their law enforcement careers with the Manchester Township Police Department, Patrolman O’Brien and Patrolman Geraghty bring with them not just experience, but a strong sense of purpose, service, and integrity," Chief Antonio Ellis said. “We are proud to welcome these proven officers to the Manchester Police family and look forward to the many ways they will contribute to our community."

The two officers now begin the Manchester Township Police Department’s Field Training and Evaluation Program, where they will be instructed and mentored by several highly trained officers.

"We wish Patrolman O’Brien and Patrolman Geraghty success in their law enforcement careers serving Manchester Township and its residents," the department said.

Ellis also thanked Mayor Joseph Hankins, the Township Council, and township administration for supporting the police department "and our mission to serve our residents at the highest possible level."