Special officer will protect Manalapan municipal judge

MANALAPAN — For the first time in the four-decade history of the Manalapan Police Department, a Special Class II officer will be employed in the municipality.

At its meeting on Sept. 12, the Township Committee adopted an ordinance that set the salary for a Special Class II officer at a minimum of $13 per hour and a maximum of $15 per hour. The committee then voted to hired Kyle Earley for the position.

Committeeman Jordan Maskowitz said Earley will be a part-time employee who will not receive benefits from Manalapan. He has gone through the Monmouth County Police Academy and is authorized to carry a weapon, according to Maskowitz.

Earley’s duties will include providing protection for Manalapan’s municipal court judge during the times when municipal court is in session. State statute requires that a municipal court judge receive this protection, Maskowitz said.

The special officer will patrol the township’s commuter parking lots and enforce parking regulations, he will handle enforcement duties in fire zones, and he will take care of anything else the police chief deems necessary, the committeeman added.

“This will also be a way of grooming an officer for possible hiring as a regular officer,” Maskowitz said.

At this time, Earley is the only special officer being hired by the police department.

In other police news, Detective Reggie Grant was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Grant has been employed by the Manalapan Police Department since 1999. Prior to serving as a detective, he was a patrolman on the force.

Committeeman Andrew Lucas congratulated Grant on his promotion and said, “He was a role model at Manalapan High School. He was a role model at the University of Cincinnati and now he is a role model in our community. Sgt. Grant can frequently be seen at township events. It is an honor to see one of our own come back to serve our community. He will be an excellent supervisor.”

Grant is well-known in the community for his achievements as a student-athlete at Manalapan High School. He went on to play NCAA Division I football at Cincinnati.

Police Chief Chris Marsala said there were many good candidates for the sergeant’s position. He congratulated Grant and thanked the committee for approving the promotion.

The members of the governing body took two other actions relating to the Manalapan Police Department. In 5-0 votes, the committee promoted Detective Thomas Mantle to the rank of sergeant, effective in January, and Patrolman Robert Herring to the rank of sergeant, effective in January.

— Mark Rosman