Middle’s Police Promotions Bolster Department to Near Pre-Crisis Level

COURT HOUSE – The 2008 financial crisis led Middle Township to reduce manpower levels of its police department. 
Almost a decade later, the township’s effort to restore the police department to its pre-crisis level of 52 full-time officers is nearing its goal. 
The Middle Township Committee meeting Aug. 1 was held with a packed house including a large contingent of residents lining the walls after available seating was taken.
What drew the crowd was the promotion of six officers, an action that reestablished the command structure the department had lost in the crisis-driven manpower reductions.
The pending retirement of the department’s executive officer, Capt. John Edwards in September was the impetus for a transition to the two- captain organization the department had before 2008.
Promoted to the rank of captain were Donald Nelson and William Adams.
Chief of Police Christopher Leusner said the department would be structured around operations, which Adams will lead, and support, headed by Nelson.
Committee member Timothy Donohue joked that the township “Had to do all this just to replace John Edwards.”
Donald Nelson
Nelson began his career in the department as a Class II officer in 1995 working summers. He joined the force full-time in 1996, was promoted to detective in 2002 and was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit in 2007. His leadership skills led to a promotion to sergeant and supervisor of the unit in 2008. He assumed the responsibilities of administrative lieutenant in 2012.
William Adams
Adams is one of only three officers in the department to gain admission to the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Va. He attended the 255th session of the Academy and graduated in 2014.
The others who achieved this honor are Leusner in 2008 and Edwards in 2011.
Adams began his law enforcement career in 1997 with the Delaware River and Bay Authority. He was hired by the township in 1999.
Adams became a part of the department’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team in 2002.
By 2006 Adams had been promoted to sergeant and he assumed the duties of patrol lieutenant in 2011. 
Given the fact that less than 1 percent of police officers nationwide receive a nomination to the Academy, having three officers on the same force as graduates is a testimony to the efforts of Leusner and the township’s commitment to excellence in policing.
Long-planned Restoration
Long-planned and gradually executed, the goal of restoring the department to 52 full-time officers is nearing completion. With one new officer approved by committee at the meeting, the manpower level of the department is 49. 
The promotions involving the two new captains, two officers promoted to replace them as lieutenants and two new sergeants, the department’s command structure is set.
Leusner introduced the evening’s ceremony by noting the rapidly changing contours of modern policing and thanking the committee and the public for the support shown to the department.
The reorganization, Leusner said, will allow the department to focus on enforcement while also continuing to make advances in prevention and intervention. He announced that the Street Crimes Unit would be a permanent part of the department’s organization structure.
The reorganization came just after the department was able to open its sub-station in Rio Grande, and township residents are showing a very positive response to the Blue Ribbon Challenge, an effort of solidarity and support for law enforcement across the country.
Leusner said that “many of our officers grew up in Middle Township.” Both Adams and Nelson are Middle Township High School graduates, for example. He added that “The foundation of a community is built on public safety.”
The turnout was just one of the many ways the township’s citizens have shown their support for the department.
Other Promotions
Those promoted at the meeting along with Adams and Nelson were Robert Shepherd and James Loftus to lieutenant and Jennifer Delanzo and Tracey Super to sergeant.
The new full-time officer hired is Mark Bakley Jr.
When the department achieves its goal of 52 full-time officers, it will also assume supervision of the code enforcement function.
This will be similar to the way the department currently oversees animal control.
Mayor Michael Clark said, “We are truly blessed to have such a great police department.” 
Committee member Jeffrey DeVico, who served in the department, noted, “It’s great to see people I worked with move up in the ranks.”
Donohue praised the enormous talent that resides in the department.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.