JACKSON — Township Council members and law enforcement officials praised the work of two members of the Police Department who were promoted to sergeant on Sept. 9.
George Vidalis and Campbell Brown were commended in proclamations that were read by Police Chief Matthew Kunz and Councilman Scott Martin, respectively.
“This is obviously a very special night for Sgt. George Vidalis and Sgt. Campbell Brown. They have done a great job in this department,” Martin said.
“We have an outstanding Police Department, and they have done a great job over the years.”
Kunz said both men are well-respected in the department and have been instrumental in implementing key programs in the township.
Vidalis is a lifelong resident of Jackson and a member of the Jackson Memorial High School Class of 1986. He has served in the department since December 2003.
Vidalis serves as an emergency vehicle operation instructor and a firearms instructor for the Ocean County Police Academy and the Jackson Police Department. He helps train new Jackson police recruits as a field training officer.
During his career, Vidalis has received a unit citation, an excellent duty award, a lifesaving award, a good conduct award, a pistol expert award, a physical training award and multiple command citations.
In the past, he has volunteered as an assistant varsity soccer coach at Jackson Memorial High School.
Kunz said Vidalis has been serving as a sergeant on a provisional basis for several months.
Brown is a native of Cranbury and is a graduate of Princeton High School.
“[Brown] was involved in hundreds of investigations — many resulting in the successful prosecution of numerous offenders,” Kunz said.
Brown was hired in August 2003 and initially served in the Patrol Division before being reassigned to the Investigative Services Division from 2006-13.
Kunz said Brown has been instrumental in helping to solve homicides, aggravated assaults, arson, sexual offenses, robbery, burglary, theft, fraud, financial crimes, and white-collar and computer-related crimes, among others.
Brown was credited by Kunz for helping to “bridge the gap” between police and youth.
In 2006, Brown helped to create the Jackson Police Department Juvenile Station House Advisement Program.
In 2007, he became the associate adviser for the Jackson Police Explorers post.
In August, Brown created a bicycle registration program to help prevent and resolve bicycle thefts in the township.
He served as the president of PBA Local 168 from 2010-12.
Among the list of commendations awarded to Brown were a unit citation and the department’s Officer of the Year award.
According to Jackson’s salary ordinance, the salary range for a police officer is between $46,509 and $113,472 per year. The salary range for a sergeant is between $125,210 and $129,358 per year.
“[Brown and Vidalis] are good officers, and it is good to see them moving up in rank,” Councilman Kenneth Bressi said.
— Andrew Martins