A former health and physical education teacher is the newest member of the Colts Neck Police Department.
Whitney Molinelli was sworn in as a member of the police force during a recent Township Committee meeting.
Officials said Molinelli’s hiring restores the police force to the minimum of 20 officers. An opening was created when an officer joined another police department.
Police Chief Kevin Sauter told members of the governing body and the public that Molinelli graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy Special I class in May 2012 and the Special II class in 2013.
Molinelli was working for the Allenhurst Police Department as a Special I and Special II officer.
Sauter said Molinelli is scheduled to attend the Monmouth County Police Academy starting on Aug. 3 and is a few classes away from being able to work full-time.
Molinelli previously was a health and physical education teacher in Ocean Township.
Mayor James Schatzle administered the oath of office to Molinelli as her husband and children looked on.
In addition to introducing Colts Neck’s newest police officer, Sauter took time to honor his department.
“I would like to commend our officers for continuing to do a great job, doing more with less and in a time when we in law enforcement are being attacked just for wearing a uniform and a badge,” Sauter said. “Thank you for keeping this great community safe and secure.”
In other business, a Clean Communities grant provided awards to first grade students who were named the winners in a poster contest that focused on environmental safety, specifically clean water. The students were presented with medals and checks.