New Police Chief Sworn Into Department, Welcomed By Mayor

CHESTER, NJ — Members of the Chester Council formally welcomed the new Township Police Chief during a recent council meeting.

Chief Ryan McNamee was sworn in before a large crowd of friends, family and police officers. He had been the officer in charge since April, when Tom Williver, who was also in attendance, retired.

"One of the most important jobs of a council is to select the police chief to guide the culture of our police department and inspire officers to high standards," Mayor Marcia Asdal said.

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon administered the oath of office to the new chief, who was surrounded by his wife and three children.

McNamee attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in May 1997, according to his LinkedIn page.

The following year, after graduating from the Morris Police Academy, McNamee worked as a university police officer on the Florham Park campus for Fairleigh Dickinson University. He worked there from December 1998 to April 2002, when he was hired as a Chester Township patrol officer.

"Chief Ryan McNamee, a 20-year veteran of the police department, is an excellent choice to lead our professional police force," Asdal said.