Police Officers Rise Through The Ranks In Chester

CHESTER, NJ — Two members of the Chester Police Department were officially sworn into their new positions during the Oct. 3 township council meeting.

Sgt. Brian Gill was sworn in as Lieutenant, and Officer Michael O’Mealy was sworn in as a new patrol officer.

Gill has been a member of the Chester Township Police Department since 2011. He was elevated to the role of sergeant in April 2020, according to the police department.

O'Mealy was hired as a full-time officer by the town council earlier this fall, effective Aug. 1.

Both Gill and O’Mealy will be assigned to the police department’s patrol division, with Gill overseeing the division, officials said.

O’Mealy and Gill serve as the most recent changes for the Chester Police Department, which has seen a flurry of retirements, promotions, and the hiring of new patrol officers in recent months.

Approximately 23 officers are currently assigned to the Chester Police Department, which protects the residents of Chester Township and Chester Borough. On Jan. 1, 2017, Chester Township and Chester Borough signed a contract for joint police services. All six personnel of the Chester Borough Police Department were absorbed into the existing Chester Township Police Department.

Chief Ryan McNamee serves as the department's commanding officer, having been sworn in last October following the retirement of Tom Williver.