3 New Officers Hired, Deputy Police Chief Appointed In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Three new police officers were hired to serve on the Bernards Township Police Department and a new Deputy Chief was appointed.

The Bernards Township Committee unanimously approved the hiring of Tyler Widitz, Kyle McCartney, and Olivia Strama at the March 7 meeting.

"Judging what the chief had to say about them it looks like we got some good new police officers," said Committeeman James Baldassare.

Widitz, McCartney, and Strama will all begin serving as full-time Patrol Officers effective Wednesday, March 15 each with an annual salary of $49,992.

Widitz of Stewartsville is a graduate of Phillipsburg High School. Post-graduation, Widitz attended Northampton Community College, Bethlehem PA earning himself an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice. Widitz then transferred to Keystone College, La Plume PA where he obtained a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.

While in college, Widitz was a 4 year member of the college baseball team, where he was a multiple year team captain. Prior to Bernards Twp., Widitz was employed by the Cranbury Twp. Police department as a patrolman and is a graduate of the Cape May Police Academy.

"Although Widitz is following in the footsteps of his father Todd who worked at the Manville Police Department and was The Deputy Commander of the Somerset County SWAT Team, I have no doubt that Tyler will carve his own path through his career," said Police Chief Jon Burger

McCartney of Holmdel, is a graduate of Holmdel High School. Post-graduation, Kyle attended Brookdale Community College, Lincroft obtaining an A.S. in Criminal Justice. McCartney then transferred to Quinnipiac University, Hamden Connecticut where he earned a B.S. in Public Relations.

After college, Kyle held several positions as a public safety dispatcher as well as a Class II Officer in southern NJ. Most recently, McCartney was employed by the borough of Peapack & Gladstone as a patrolman before accepting his position with Bernards Twp.

Strama of Wallington is a graduate of Paramus Catholic High School. Post-graduation, she attended Berkeley College, Woodland Park graduating with Honors and earning a B.S. degree in Justice Studies with a concentration in Homeland Security. Strama received the Rising Star Award from the NJ Business & Industry Association awarded to college students who excel in academics, campus life, and volunteer within the community.

While attending college, Strama worked part-time for the Paramus Police Department as a Class 1 Special Police Officer and a public safety dispatcher. Strama is also a recent graduate of the Camden County Police Academy alternate route program earning herself a full PTC Certification.

Additionally, on Tuesday night, the Committee unanimously approved the appointment of Lieutenant Eric Geleta to the newly created position of Deputy Chief.

Geleta applied for the positions and "has demonstrated highly effective performance in his role as Lieutenant, and is qualified to fill said position," according to the resolution.

Geleta is a graduate of Phillipsburg High School. He began his career with the Blairstown Township Police Department in July 1995. He then was hired by Bernards Township Police Department in November 1998. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2009, Lieutenant in 2016.

He has commanded the patrol division, Traffic division, and investigative division. He has an associate's degree from Warren County Community College, bachelor's degree from Thomas Edison State College, and a Masters degree from Seton Hall University. He is married to Jamie and has three kids, Luke, Gavin and Bella.

"I want to congratulate Eric Geleta who has been with us for many years and is a true asset to the police department," Committeewoman Janice Fields said. "So thank you Eric for stepping up and being part of that leadership team."

"He has been a bulwark for this township for the 20-plus years and a better man couldn’t have the job," said Baldassare of Geleta.

Geleata assumes the role of full-time Deputy Chief of Police effective Wednesday, March 8, at an annual salary of $168,714.58 for a 40-hour work week.

"The Bernards Township Police Department extends its gratitude to Mayor McNally and Township Committee for the Promotion of Detective Lieutenant Eric Geleta to Deputy Chief of Police and for the swearing in of the three new officers," said Burger. "It was a good night for the police department and a great night for the community and residents who will be served and protected by Officer Tyler Widitz, Officer Kyle McCartney, and Officer Olivia Strama. We are very happy to welcome them into the Bernards Township Police Department Family."

The Deputy Chief position was created as part of the restructuring of the Bernards Township Police Department at the recommendation of new Police Chief Jon Burger and its Human Resources Department in January. Read More: New Deputy Chief Position Created, Captain Position Nixed In Bernards

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.