JACKSON – The Jackson Police Department has a new lieutenant and a new sergeant. Officers Christopher Parise and Trevor Crowley were promoted during the May 22 Township Council meeting in front of their colleagues, friends, family members and residents.
Parise was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant and Crowley was promoted to sergeant. Police Chief Matthew Kunz honored both men before he presented them with their new uniform insignia.
Parise graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in 1987. He attended Brookdale Community College and Rider University, where he studied chemistry. He was hired by the Jackson Police Department in March 1995. After graduating from the New Jersey State Police Academy, he became a field training officer in the Patrol Division.
“Through the years, (Parise) continued to assist with the progression of the department’s field training officer program,” Kunz said.
Parise was a member of the police department’s special response team for about eight years.
“In 2001, he was one of the many Jackson police officers who responded to New York City and assisted with the response at the Twin Towers” following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, Kunz said.
In 2002, Parise was recognized as Police Officer of the Year. In 2006, he became a deputy coordinator with the Jackson Office of Emergency Management. Since 2010, Parise has been responsible for coordinating and training the members of Jackson’s Community Emergency Response Team.
Crowley, the new sergeant, graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in 1985. He attended Mercer County Community College and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in public administration and a Master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Crowley began his career in law enforcement in 1989 with the Lambertville Police Department. He joined the Jackson Police Department in 1992.
“While in the Patrol Division, Officer Crowley was a member of the Jackson Township Special Response Team for about five years. He remained in the Patrol Division on the overnight shift until his transfer to the Traffic Safety Bureau in 1998,” Kunz said.
Crowley has attended numerous training courses throughout his career which were primarily related to crash investigation.
In May 2016, Crowley was one of the first police officers in New Jersey to be recognized and certified by Kean University as a level one traffic safety specialist. He is a member of the Ocean County Fatal Accident Support Team and assists with crash investigations throughout the county.
“(Crowley) is also an instructor in various areas. He gives instruction within the department for the radar operators course, pursuit policy, defensive driving and work zone safety. He is an instructor at the Ocean County Police Academy for the emergency vehicle operators course. He is also involved in teaching the defensive driving course to civilian participants and he is involved with driver safety programs at the Jackson high schools, assisting the school resource officers when needed,” Kunz said.
Crowley works with the Jackson police ATV Unit and he has been a certified motorcycle officer since 2006.
Councilman Barry Calogero said, “Special congratulations to two of Jackson’s finest. May God bless them as they protect us. They have done a great job and are well deserving of their promotions.”
Council Vice President Robert Nixon said, “We have seen another example of the advancement of two of Jackson’s finest police officers. I have known them both a long time, especially Lt. Parise, who I have known for 13 years. … You talk about two people who are dedicated to the community and making sure residents are not only secure in their homes, but knowing they have people behind them who truly care about them.”
Council President Ken Bressi also offered his congratulations to the officers on their promotion.
Councilman Scott Martin and Councilwoman Ann Updegrave were not present at the May 22 meeting.