By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Promotion dominoes within the township police force continued to fall Tuesday night.
Following retirements at the top two jobs in the department, other officers are moving up the ranks to fill vacancies.
Lt. Darren Powell has become chief, and Lt. Fran Mozgai last month was appointed captain.
On Tuesday night, two sergeants — Charles Boyle and Michael Fitzpatrick — were promoted to lieutenant posts. The two went through the police academy together, joined the force at the same time about 21 ½ years ago and became sergeants at about the same time, said Chief Powell.
Lt. Fitzpatrick will be assigned to the services division, in charge of traffic operations, training and internal affairs, said the chief. Lt. Boyle will become a division commander, coordinating training and community policing.
Mayor Frank DelCore said the township prides itself on promoting from within, with the promotions showing the depth of the department. Committeewoman Gloria McCauley told the new lieutenants they were highly valued by the fellow officers and the governing body.
The Township Committee also accepted the retirements of Sgt. Trevor Oldenburg and Officer Richard Sellitsch, effective Feb. 1. Both had been with the department for 25 years,
Sgt. Oldenburg had served as juvenile affairs officer in the detective bureau and as a patrol sergeant, said the chief.
More changes will be forthcoming as the department begins the process of evaluating officers for posts as sergeants.
Former Capt. Paul Merkler, a 25-year veteran of the force, retired at the end of 2015. Paul Kaminsky, who has been police chief since 2006, retired effective Feb. 1. He joined the force in August 1989.
The force now has 49 officers, with two hires in the academy. Chief Powell said he has been authorized to hire one more officer. Before Tuesday there were seven sergeants and six corporals. One of sergeants, Brian Besser, has recently retired, too. The force now has three lieutenants, with Lts. Boyle and Fitzpatrick joining Lt. Kenneth Pryor.
Both Lt. Boyle and Lt. Fitzpatrick were promoted to corporal in 2002 and sergeant in 2007. Most recently both had been assigned as traffic sergeants in the services division.
Both will be paid $141,672 per year.
