Middle Township Police Department Announces Restructuring

COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township Police Department will begin the initial phase of restructuring the department Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. when Township Committee will be hiring a new police officer and promoting officers.  The restructuring is triggered by the upcoming retirement of Captain John Edwards and moving forward with our plan to grow the Department to make the Street Crimes Unit permanent.   On Monday night, Middle Township will be hiring one entry level police officer, Mark Bakley.  Cpl. Jennifer DeLanzo and Detective Tracey Super will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Sgt. Robert Shepherd and Sgt. James Loftus will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.  Lt. William Adams and Lt. Donald Nelson will be promoted to the rank of Captain.  This new hire will be bring the Police Department to 49 full time police officers and closer to the goal of 52 full time police officers.  This was the staffing level of the Middle Townsh ip Police Department in 2008 before the financial crisis.  The Department is currently conducting additional backgrounds and hopes to hire additional police officers in the fall.
The second phase and final phase of the restructuring will occur when the Department reaches 52 full time police officers.  At that time, the Police Department will assume the responsibility and supervision of the Code Enforcement function and the two code enforcement officers.  In addition, a Sergeant will be promoted to provide full time supervision of the Street Crimes Unit.  A  Lieutenant will be promoted and assume control of the Code Enforcement functions along with other duties redistributed as part of the overall restructuring of the Middle Township Police Department. 
Chief Leusner stated, “I thank Township Committee for providing the resources necessary to allow the Middle Township Police Department to protect the residents and visitors of Middle Township through practicing Community and Problem Orientated Policing.  This restructuring allows us to not only continue the very successful Street Crimes Unit which has reduced crime but also focus on areas other than enforcement such as Intervention and Prevention efforts through partnerships in the community.  July 28, 2016 at 6 p.m. at the Middle Township High School, the Middle Township Police Department in partnership with Daniel Auld, who is a resident of Middle Township, will be presenting a program on “What to Expect with Encounters with Police Officers”.  This type of community engagement with the goal of prevention and creating positive interactions with Police Officers takes resources and builds the necessary foundation needed for 21^st Century Policing” 
“This forward thinking command restructuring plan is a proactive response to the challenges faced by law enforcement in the twenty first century,” Public Safety Director Tim Donohue said. “The ability to promote from within to fill all these supervisory roles is a testament to the excellent training and well proscribed path forward offered to our officers. As a member of the interview committee, I’m always impressed by the professionalism, expertise and dedication of our officers. I’m confident the best police department in Cape May County will only get better as a result of this restructuring.”
“As Mayor, I am proud to have been instrumental in increasing public safety through the reactivation of the Street Crimes Unit as well as the construction of the Police Sub-Station in Rio Grande,” said Mayor Michael Clark. “An increased police presence is yet another step in improving the quality of life for Middle Township residents while increasing the efficiency of the Police Department so officers are best able to serve the community. “