By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — Township officials welcomed a new police officer to the department with the swearing in of Paul Proctor during the Township Council meeting Sept. 2.
"We, here in (the) East Windsor police department, have a very rigorous hiring process that any candidate who is interested in joining the department must go through," said Mayor Janice Mironov. "Any candidate who gets through the process that, in and of itself, is a major achievement and it speaks extremely well with respect to that individual and their qualities."
Mayor Mironov administered the oath of office to Officer Proctor with his parents by his side.
"Paul will have the opportunity to work under the leadership of our new Chief Harry Marshall and alongside and under some very outstanding officers," she said. "We’re very proud of our police department in East Windsor and we considerate it really among, if not the top, police department in the state with officers who are highly educated, trained, very community caring, extremely professional and very effective in carrying out their responsibilities and serving our public."
According to Mayor Mironov, Officer Proctor started his career with Princeton University Department of Public Safety in Feb. 2002.
He graduated from Freehold Township High School and attended Monmouth University in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice.
In Jan. 2011, he graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy.
"As a probationary police officer he will serve in the Uniform Services Division of our police department," she said.
Chief Marshall took a few moments to welcome the new officer, who was filling a vacancy in the department.
Officer Proctor started his employment on Aug. 25, he said in a follow up email.
"He was hired into a position created as a result of retirements," he said, adding that the department has 44 members.
Chief Marshall thanked the mayor and council members for taking the time during the meeting to "swear in our new officer."
"As you can tell, Officer Proctor has a solid foundation in law enforcement and we look forward to building upon that over the years," said Chief Marshall. "So Paul on behalf of myself and all the members of the police department I would like to congratulate you, welcome you aboard and wish you the best of luck in your happy and prosperous career."
Mayor Mironov thanked everyone for coming "certainly the members of our department" and Officer Proctor’s family members who were in attendance as well.
"He’s got a good support network there and it’s great to have you all here tonight to see him launch what I am sure will be a very successful and very satisfactory career for himself here."