Emeke Chijioke METUCHEN — The borough’s police force has welcomed two new officers.
Emeke Chijioke, 27, of Paterson, and Anthony Trohalides, 31, of Monroe, both come to the department with prior law enforcement experience.
Chijioke graduated from the Paterson Police Academy and worked with the Paterson Police Department for 18 months before he and 124 other officers were laid off inApril due to budget cuts. Prior to working in Paterson, he served as a sheriff’s officer with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department.
“This [in Metuchen] is where I want to be,” he said with a smile.
Trohalides graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy and worked with the Helmetta Police Department for three years, starting in July 2008.
“I had left my job in Helmetta and three days later I was hired here,” he said. “I love it here.”
Anthony Trohalides Trohalides had previously worked with Monroe Township’s emergency medical services for 10 years.
Metuchen Police Chief Rob Rentenberg said the department had received 95 résumés for the available positions, and after a series of interviews, officials selected Chijioke and Trohalides.
“These two were the cream of the crop,” he said. “I wish them the best and hope they have a long, long career here.”
— Kathy Chang