By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — There’s about to be a new chief of police in town.
At the June 6 Township Council meeting, Mayor Janice Mironov announced that Lieutenant James Monohan, who is currently the Uniform Services Administrative Commander of the East Windsor Police Department, will become the municipality’s new police chief effective July 1.
”We have such an outstanding police force, such a core of talent,” Mayor Mironov said. “In the first stories that announced the chief’s retirement it was very easy for me without any hesitation to announce that the next chief would come from the ranks of our very talented Police Department.”
Lt. Monohan will be replacing Police Chief William Spain, who is set to retire on July 1. Chief Spain has served as the Police Department’s chief since 1999.
”I am very proud tonight to make this announcement and to thank Chief Spain for his graciousness of allowing us to proceed and have the opportunity for transition,” Mayor Mironov stated.
An East Windsor selection committee chose Lt. Monohan to become the township’s new chief of police.
”The selection committee consisted of myself, Deputy Mayor Perry Shapiro, Council Member Marc Lippman and Township Manager Alan Fisher,” Mayor Mironov said on Thursday. “Consideration for the position was open to the members of the (township’s) Police Department.
”The selection committee carefully reviewed the education and training, experience and qualifications of applicants, held multi-hour interview sessions with each, obtained background checks and solicited other general input on qualities for a police chief,” the mayor said.
She continued, “The decision of the committee was extraordinarily difficult because of the extremely high caliber, superb leadership skills and outstanding personal qualities of our police applicants, every one of whom is a special and invaluable part of our first-class police team. The decision of the committee was unanimous.”
Lt. Monohan, a 1988 graduate of the Middlesex County Police Academy, began his employment with the East Windsor Police Department as a patrolman in July 1994. Prior to that he was a patrolman and a detective with the Highland Park Borough Police Department.
During the course of his career with East Windsor, Lt. Monohan has held the rank of detective and sergeant. He was promoted to lieutenant in January 2006.
Lt. Monohan has been the recipient of many awards, including a Life Saving Medal, two Educational Achievement Awards, two Unit Citations, and most recently an Honorable Service Award in January 2012. He also has an extensive background of law enforcement certifications as well as police training.
Lt. Monohan is a graduate of Rutgers University, earning his bachelors of science in administration of justice magna cum laude in January 2002. He received his masters degree in labor and employment relations in May 2007.
The future East Windsor chief of police took a moment to thank his predecessor on Tuesday.
”I have to especially recognize Chief Spain, you’ve been an incredible model of professionalism and you have continued to create this ultra level of professionalism in the department. I want to thank you for that,” Lt. Monohan said.
An official swearing in ceremony will occur this summer.
In other council news, Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson and Hightstown Planning Board members, Steve Misiura and Fred Montferrat, were in attendance to discuss the East Windsor Township and Hightstown Borough Route 33 Corridor Revitalization Plan.
— Jen Samuel, managing editor, contributed to this report.

