By: Eve Collins
Eve CollinsStaff Writer
Police departments across the country, including those in North Hanover, Florence, and Chesterfield townships, have been losing officers to military duty, causing manpower shortages and longer hours for the remainder of the forces.
North Hanover Police Chief Mark Keubler said the department is very happy to get Patrolman John Desmond back, after more than a year of military service.
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Patrolman ready to get back to work Patrolman John Desmond is glad to be home again at the North Hanover Police Department. A Technical Sgt. with the 514th Security Forces Squadron of the Air Force, he handled security and law enforcement of military personnel while at McGuire Air Force Base after being called to active duty in November 2001. He also trained troops in anti-terrorism awareness. Since he was stationed close to where he lives at Fort Dix, Patrolman Desmond was still able to come home to his family each night. He returned to his regular job with the North Hanover Township Police Department on Wednesday. "I’m glad to be getting back," said Patrolman Desmond. Aubrey Desmond, his wife, is a corrections officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They have two children, a 2-year-old, and 1-month-old. The family lives on Fort Dix. The Desmonds opened their home to members of Patrolman Desmond’s military unit who could not go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. "How could we not do it?" said Ms. Desmond. "We felt bad for the people who are not in the position to go home." Patrolman Desmond was also able to continue his police training while on active duty. "We were able to maintain all his mandatory in-service training and weapons requalifications," Police Chief Mark Keubler said. "If he had missed those, we would have had to send him back through those classes," he said. Patrolman Desmond has not always been lucky enough to be stationed so close to home. Last year, he volunteered for Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait, a mission that monitors and controls the airspace in southern Iraq, he said. "It was supposed to be a really easy tour," he said. "Kuwait had been peaceful, but then it turned into one of the highest-threat areas in the world." Just as he was given his orders, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks took place. Patrolman Desmond’s mission now included Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. He found himself leaving his wife and son, who was 8-months-old at the time, with the threat of more terror attacks still hanging in the air. "The camp (in Kuwait) was complete chaos," he said. "We were ready for the trip, just not conditions." He returned from that trip in November 2001, but was soon mobilized to McGuire. Ms. Desmond, who also was in the Air Force and even served with her husband in the same unit, said being a former member of the military has its advantages and disadvantages. She was a Senior Airman. "I knew what was about to happen," she said. "Most wives have no idea what’s going on. But I think it made me worry more." Ms. Desmond said she received many courtesy calls while Patrolman Desmond was stationed in Kuwait from the members of the North Hanover Police Department. "We’re all really close," said Chief Keubler. "We wanted to make sure she was OK." Eve Collins |
Patrolman Desmond is a member of the 514th Security Forces Squadron of the Air Force. He returned to his job with the North Hanover Township Police Department on Wednesday. He had been deployed to McGuire Air Force Base since November 2001. Before that, he was in Kuwait.
"He’s our computer guy," Chief Keubler said. He said Patrolman Desmond handles most of the 10-member police force’s computer operations. His absence also has created overtime for the other officers, the chief said.
Chief Gordon Dawson of the Florence Township Police Department said the township has been doing without one of its officers since the Sept. 11 attacks.
Although he would not reveal the officer’s name, Chief Dawson said they expect the Air Force reservist to return in September, making his time away from home exactly two years.
"He got his orders for one year, and then they were extended," he said.
The absence of the officer has caused a manpower shortage in the 25-officer department, the chief said. A few officers also have retired recently, leaving vacancies in the department. It takes six months for recruits to go through the police academy, he said, so there will be vacancies for a while.
"Unfortunately, because of the shortage, our officers are working extra shifts," Chief Dawson said. "It has cost the township extra overtime."
Chesterfield Township also has an officer in its Police Department who is a member of the U.S. Air Force, said Sgt. Kyle Wilson.
Patrolman Ryan Mattek, who was on vacation and was not available for comment, has not been deployed since fighting began in Iraq, but was deployed last year just prior to being hired by the township, Sgt. Wilson said.
"It doesn’t appear that he will be called," said Sgt. Wilson. "But if he were, we would take the appropriate measures to maintain service to the community."
Losing Patrolman Mattek would cause overtime issues in the seven-officer department, Sgt. Wilson said.
Patrolman Mattek’s deployment last year hindered the hiring process, Sgt. Wilson said. The township hired another officer in his place, but Patrolman Mattek was appointed to the position when he returned.
Despite the manpower shortages, all officials said they support their co-worker’s efforts.
"We support Patrolman Mattek’s service in the military 110 percent," said Chesterfield’s Sgt. Wilson.
In Florence, the Township Council has agreed to subtract the airman’s military salary from his Police Department salary and pay him the difference, thus giving him the same salary he would get if he were still here.
"Other municipalities and corporate employers do this," Chief Dawson said. "It gives him peace of mind while he is away."
The same is true in North Hanover for Patrolman Desmond, Chief Keubler said.
"(Our troops) are highly trained and dedicated," Chief Keubler said. "We fully support what they’re doing."

