COURT HOUSE – Presiding over his first Regular Meeting of Township Committee on Wednesday evening (Jan. 17), Middle Township Mayor Chris Leusner swore in two new full-time Police Officers to the municipality’s police department.
Officers Jayden Matthews and Christopher Rudy both served as Class II officers prior to their appointment at the Jan. 17th meeting. The officers were surrounded by family and friends as they took the oath. Nearly two dozen members of the MTPD attended in a strong show of support for their new brethren.
“I’m proud to welcome Officers Matthews and Rudy to the department,” Chief Jennifer Pooler said. “They have done the hard work to successfully complete their rigorous training. I’m confident that they will make us proud and serve the community well.”
Matthews and Rudy join recently sworn Officer Christian Quaranta as the MTPD looks to maintain proper staffing levels in a challenging environment for police hiring.
Township Committee also approved the promotion of five Class II Officers to full-time Police Officer. Michael Bailey, Ty Pettit, Wilson Laracuente, Daniel Wright and Joshua Moyer will be enrolled in the upcoming class at the Cape May County Police Academy.
In addition, the MTPD added two new Class II Officers, Zachary Linz and Owen Bryan to the ranks.
“I want to publicly recognize Chief Pooler’s implementation of this multifaceted hiring plan to address the department’s staffing needs,” Mayor Leusner said. “Public Safety will always be our top priority. The appointments approved tonight by Township Committee will ensure that our police department remains a proactive force committed to community policing and dedicated to the service and protection of our residents.”
