Rick Derechailo has been promoted as the Aberdeen Township Chief of Police.
Derechailo replaced John T. Powers, who retired after a 36-year career with the township’s police force. Derechailo had been the Aberdeen Deputy Chief of Police.
Derechailo, 60, joined the department in 1985 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks to become a Detective in 1990.
Derechailo became a sergeant assigned to the Patrol Division in 1992, Commander of the Detective Bureau in 1995, Lieutenant in 2003, and Deputy Chief in 2006, according to a press release from Aberdeen Township.
Derechailo’s community involvement includes serving as a member of the Cliffwood Volunteer Fire Company No.1 since 1976 and serving on the Board of Fire Commissioners District 2 in Cliffwood for seven years.
Powers began his career with the department as a patrol officer in 1982 and rose through the ranks to be named Sergeant in 1988, Lieutenant in 1994, Deputy Chief in 2003 and Chief in 2006.
During his tenure, Powers served terms as President of the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association and Bayshore Task Force, and was Aberdeen’s Emergency Management Coordinator.
Powers graduated from Stockton State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice in 1981, and also attended the Monmouth County Police Academy, FBI National Academy and holds the Accredited Chief Executive designation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
“The appointment of Chief Derechailo, a 33-year veteran of the Aberdeen Township Police Department, ensures a seamless transition, one in which the department will not skip a beat,” Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini said.
“Over the years, he has demonstrated the highest qualities necessary for this position and we all have the upmost confidence in his ability to lead the department. Furthermore, he is deeply involved in our community and has the support and respect of the entire Aberdeen Police Department.
“When thinking of Chief Powers, words like integrity, leadership, commitment and honesty quickly come to mind,” he said.
During Powers’ tenure, the department implemented a number of technological advances, including Info-Cop, a wireless-based law enforcement software; LiveScan, an automated fingerprint system; Automated License Plate Readers; and ICOP, a digital in-car system that records video.