MATAWAN – Police Capt. James Alston will now be referred to as Chief Alston as his promotion takes effect on July 1.
At the June 5 Borough Council meeting, the motion to promote Alston to the position of chief was passed by an unopposed vote.
Alston will once again replace Robert M. McGowan, this time as he vacates his position as the chief of police, effective June 30.
Alston, who has been with the force since September 1974, replacedMcGowan as captain in 2006.
Alston’s rise through the ranks was not without turmoil.
In 2002, Alston was promoted to lieutenant after serving as a detective sergeant for two years prior to his promotion. Alston sued the borough in 2000 for what he believed was a racially motivated bypass of promotion and retaliation by then- Chief of Police Carmen Messina for a previous seven-day suspension.
The 1992 seven-day suspension stemmed from litigation Alston filed, suing for retaliation and discrimination by the former chief and other police department employees afterAlston’s nephew had earlier been denied a position on the police force.
The matter was settled in 1996 for a sum of $360,000.
According to the resolution appointing him chief, Alston has completed various police training in basic police work and beyond, earning the borough’s trust in his knowledge of handling administrative work and even weapons of mass destruction.
Alston will be formally sworn in July 1.
Also promoted at the meeting was Sgt. Jason Gallo, who was promoted to the position of lieutenant. Gallo has been with the police force for the past 16 years, starting his work in Matawan in 1992.
According to the resolution approved, Gallo was promoted to sergeant in 2004. Over the course of his employment with the Matawan Police Department, Gallo has attended additional training to further his knowledge in law enforcement. His appointment to lieutenant is retroactive June 1.