New Police Chief Sworn In To Stafford Force

STAFFORD, NJ — The Stafford Township Police Department officially has a new chief - James Haldenwang.

Haldenwang, a 23-year veteran of the police force, was sworn in by the Township Council at the April 2 meeting. His appointment follows the retirement of former chief Thomas Dellane, who capped off a 36-year career in Stafford at the end of February. Read more: Stafford Police Chief Retires After 36 Years

"I promise I'm going to do a good job with this, and I'm going to give you my very best every single day that I'm here," said Haldenwang. "I will live, breathe, eat, sleep Stafford Township Police Department and I will give this my all. You have my pledge for that."

Haldenwang shared the store of how he never expected to end up as a police officer. In fact, he described himself as "a bit of a wild child" in his youth, and that his parents worried that he "might end up behind bars."

He said he took the police exam 24 years ago at the behest of his brother, Alan, while working as a construction worker.

"He said to me, 'why don't you take a police test?' And I said, 'why would I do that?' He said, 'because I think you'd make a really good police officer,'" Haldenwang said.

He vowed to do his absolute best as chief.

"I will be honorable. I will be honest. I will be transparent. I will build bridges," Haldenwang said. "That's what I'm about."