HOWELL — As current members of the Howell Police Department looked on, seven new police officers were sworn in as new members of the department by Mayor Bill Gotto during the July 15 meeting of the Township Council.
In recent years, the number of officers in Howell had decreased with retirements, according to a press release from the police department. The recent hires bring the department to 82 sworn officers.
Police Chief Ron Carter expressed his trust in the new officers to continue to protect and provide security to the community.
“The police department is very fortunate to have seven officers who have a wide variety of experience, and it is great to have some officers who have been lifelong residents of Howell,” Carter said.
The new hires are as follows:
Nicholas Austin: Holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University, Austin has prior law enforcement experience working for the Camden County Police Department. Austin comes to the department as a fully certified police officer.
Nicolas Saltzman: Graduating from the Monmouth County Police Academy in May 2014 as part of the alternate route program, Saltzman is now a fully certified police officer. In the past, Saltzman was a Special Law Enforcement Officer II and a dispatcher in Lavallette. He holds a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and was raised in Toms River.
Matthew Waryasz: From Hamilton Township, Waryasz graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy last December as part of the alternate route program. He holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Mercer County Community College.
Matthew Cadott: Holding an associate’s degree from Brookdale Community College, Cadott was previously employed as a Special Law Enforcement Officer II in Monmouth Beach. He grew up in Howell.
Vincent Campagnola: Growing up in Howell, Campagnola holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Brookdale Community College. He was previously employed as a Special Law Enforcement Officer II in Sea Girt.
Ryan Lowe: The new officer is a recent graduate of The College of New Jersey, where he received a bachelor’s degree. He is enrolled in the Monmouth County Police Academy 87th Basic Course for Police Officers. He grew up in Howell.
Heather Scherbinski: The new officer is enrolled in the Monmouth County Police Academy 87th Basic Course for Police Officers. She holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Brookdale Community College and grew up in Howell.
To complete their certification, Cadott and Campagnola will take classes at the police academy. Lowe and Scherbinski will attend the full academy in August, according to information provided by township officials.
— Taylor M. Lier