Ted Wittke, Jr. was appointed on Sept. 9
Hazlet Township welcomed its new police chief in an outdoor ceremony outside Town Hall Tuesday evening before a supportive assembly of law enforcement officers, government officials, family members, friends and residents.
Mayor Michael Glackin read resolutions promoting Ted Wittke, Jr. to the position of Acting Police Chief; Robert Mulligan to the position of Deputy Police Chief; Nicholas Green and Scott Randolph to the positions of Police Lieutenant; and Richard Jaeger to Police Sergeant.
The mayor also acknowledged outgoing Police Chief Philip Meehan’s “untiring dedication and loyalty” during his 23 years of employment with the township and proclaimed September 8 to be “Philip Meehan Day.”
Each policeman took the oath on the outdoor stage alongside their families and, after being pinned with a new badge, accepted congratulations from Mayor Glackin, Deputy Mayor Tara Clark, Committee members Mike Sachs and Skip McKay. Also joining them on stage was Monmouth County Freeholder Sue Kiley, a former mayor of Hazlet.
In his remarks, Acting Chief Wittke offered his gratitude to the Township Committee and Administrator Dennis Pino, saying, “In a time when many governing bodies are talking about defunding police, they’ve actually doubled down on their efforts to support us and have been there every step of the way.”
Wittke acknowledged his mentors: Chief Frank Emery, who hired him onto the force in 1999; Chief Jim Broderick, who promoted him to Lieutenant and offered him the top job in the detective bureau; and Chief Philip Meehan. “I know he has prepared me well, and for that I will keep moving the department forward with the skills he has taught me.”
Wittke also thanked the police department for their “upmost professionalism” during these tough times and acknowledged the warm support from many residents in town. He also thanked his wife, Laura, and his parents.
He ended with optimism. ”I’ve been working hard for the last 21 years to be in this position. I’m going to continue to work hard to move forward and make it the best police department in New Jersey,” he said.
