Red Bank Patrolman Stanley Balmer introduces Mayor Pasquale Menna to the Police Department’s newest member, Hunter, a 20-month-old Belgian Malinois. JEREMY GROSSMAN/STAFF RED BANK — Several members of the Police Department — including one with fur and a tail — were recognized at a recent Borough Council meeting for the role they play in protecting the community.
At the March 11 meeting, Councilman Arthur Murphy III, the borough’s police commissioner, presented the department’s new patrol dog, Hunter, a 20-month-old Belgian Malinois.
“Patrolman Stan Balmer and his canine partner, Hunter, graduated from patrol school in January and currently serve vital patrol functions in tracking missing or wanted persons,” Murphy said. “They are now attending a narcotics training program. Once the training is completed, Hunter will be certified to detect the products of contraband.”
Councilman Arthur Murphy, right, and Mayor Pasquale Menna, center, present the Life Saving Award to Red Bank patrolmen, from left, David Smith, Tanner Shea and Thomas Doremus. JEREMY GROSSMAN/STAFF In October 2014, the Police Department began a police canine unit that was funded almost solely through donations from the public, most notably from the Fuchs Foundation.
“Most of the time, in the situations where we needed a dog, we had to call out for the county,” Murphy said. “So now, with the dog that we have, other towns will be calling us for a shared service to use the dog, as well.”
Mayor Pasquale Menna, a dog lover, was introduced to Hunter, and complimented him on his nice teeth.
“This is the best looking member of the Police Department,” Menna quipped.
Next, patrolmen David Smith, Thomas Doremus and Tanner Shea each received the Life Saving Award.
On the morning of Feb. 20, the officers responded to an emergency call on River Road. The call concerned a 61-year-old resident who collapsed inside the doorway of his home after removing ice from the walkway of his residence.
The resident was found unresponsive and not breathing, according to Murphy.
Doremus and Shea immediately began CPR, while Smith connected an automatic defibrillator to the man. After several minutes of performing CPR and delivering shots with the defibrillator, the victim regained a pulse and began breathing on his own.
“He was transported to Riverview Medical Center, where he regained consciousness,” Murphy said. “The quick and decisive efforts of the police officers undoubtedly saved this gentleman’s life.”
After the officers received the awards, Menna thanked the department for its contributions to the borough.
“We do have the best Police Department in the state,” Menna said.
Red Bank Police Chief Darren McConnell said the Red Bank department sets itself apart in a time when “good” news about law enforcement can be difficult to come by.
“ This just demonstrates the good work that all of our officers do — not just in Red Bank, but all over the country,” he said.