COLTS NECK – Two police officers who have retired, four who have been promoted and three who have just been hired by the Colts Neck Police Department were recognized during a recent Township Committee meeting.
The June 10 meeting began with comments from Police Chief Paul Santucci, who said, “Tonight we observe three of the most important stages in the career of a police officer; getting hired, getting promoted and achieving retirement.”
First, committee members recognized Lt. Frank Leccese and Officer Ronald Goodspeed for completing their careers with the police department.
“I thank both officers and their families for their years of dedication, the family life that was sacrificed and the challenges faced along the way. Colts Neck is a better place because of your service,” Santucci said to Leccese and Goodspeed.
Leccese served with the police department for 30 years. He was promoted from patrolman to corporal in 1999, to sergeant in 2001 and to lieutenant in 2009.
Goodspeed served with the police department for 25 years. He was the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer and the juvenile officer. Goodspeed was saluted for the impact he had on young people in the community.
Officials then announced the promotions of Todd Mayer and Daniel DeVito from sergeant to lieutenant and the promotions of patrolmen Daniel Mazzucola and Stephen Panepinto to sergeant.
“Four veteran officers have prepared themselves to reach the next level in their law enforcement careers. Two are becoming front line supervisors and two are entering the command staff of our department,” Santucci said.
Mayer has served with the police department for 24 years. He was promoted from patrolman to corporal in 2001 and to sergeant in 2009.
DeVito has served with the police department for 16 years. He was promoted to sergeant in 2017.
Mazzucola and Panepinto have served with the police department for eight years and seven years, respectively.
Finally, officials hired Christopher Francisco and Julian Mayo as patrolmen, and Nicolas Tomaio as a Class II special law enforcement officer (SLEO).
“Here are three young men who have achieved the most difficult hurdle of a police officer’s career, getting hired. These young men have shown ambition, determination and the good character required to go through the extensive background process and now their journey has just begun,” Santucci said.
Francisco earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Brookdale Community College and a bachelor’s degree in national security studies from New Jersey City University. He attended the Ocean County Police Academy and graduated as a Class II SLEO in 2018. Francisco has experience with the Seaside Heights and Monmouth Beach police departments.
Mayo earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Liberty University, Virginia. He attended the Ocean County Police Academy and graduated as a Class II SLEO in 2018. Mayo has experience with the Belmar and Howell police departments.
Tomaio earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Kutztown University, Pennsylvania. He attended the Cape May County Police Academy and graduated as an SLEO in April. Tomaio has experience with the Toms River and Ocean City police departments.
Township Administrator Kathleen Capristo said the police department now has 27 sworn officers, including Class III officers (recently retired law enforcement personnel) who are assigned to Colts Neck’s schools.