Toms River Promotes One, Welcomes Seven to Police Force

The Toms River Police Department underwent some recent restructuring and those officers--one promotion and seven new hires--were officially recognized during a ceremony this week. 

Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy said that township administrators have been "working diligently" with police leadership to rebuild the department that currently is understaffed and facing 14 retirements in 2013. 

"As we keep rebuilding we keep losing people," Mastronardy said. "So we'll do the best we can to work with the administrator and the mayor and council to rebuild the department to the benefit of the residents of the community."

The application process happens every three years and last was administered in 2012, the chief has said. It creates a three-year list of police officer candidates that will be hired in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

Another seven officers currently are being trained and will likely join the department in September; four more are awaiting positions on the force whenever they can be budgeted in, the chief said. 

"It's a very difficult time, but as a team we'll get through it," Mastronardy said. 

Under the restructuring, officer Patrick Jacques, who joined Toms River's police department in 2001 and has served with the Emergency Services Unit since 2003, was promoted to detective. He is assigned to the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau Special Enforcement Team, according to the department. 

Before coming to Toms River, Jacques—a graduate of the Union County Police Academy Class 76—began his law enforcement career as an officer in Dunellen in 1997.

After swearing in Jacques to his new position, officials recognized the township's seven new officers individually before the collegaues, friends and families in attendance. Background information for the new officers was provided by the police department:

Brent Mundy, a Dunellen native who served as a police officer with the United States Park Police before becoming a Toms River resident and joining the department in February 2012. 

A Toms River native and 2004 Monsignor Donovan graduate, Adam Worth is a former Seaside Heights police officer and federal correctional officer. He currently is pursuing a Master's degree in management from Thomas Edison State College. 

David Lazaro, from neighboring Manchester, worked for the state Department of Corrections before joining the Toms River Police Department. He earned a Bachelors degree from Kean University. 

Born in Clifton, Nicholas Franco moved to Montville and found his way to Toms River as a February 2012 hire. He served as an officer in North Haledon for five years before coming to Toms River. 

Brian O'Leary is a lifelong Toms River resident and High School East graduate who earned a criminology and investigation sciences degree from West Virginia University. Before joining the department, O'Leary worked for an auto insurance carrier. 

Walter Herman is a Toms River native and 2000 graduate of High School North. He graduated with a criminal justice degree from Pace University and worked for the state Department of Corrections before joining Toms River's police department in September 2012. 

His father, Walt Herman, is a retired Toms River police officer and his brother, CJ Herman, is a New Jersey State Trooper. 

A Little Egg Harbor resident who was a cafe owner in Manahawkin before attending the Ocean County Police Academy and graduating in February 2013, Officer Samantha Sutter received an applied science and baking and pastry arts degree from Johnson and Wales University.