Bernards Township Has A New Police Chief

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Michael Shimsky is being sworn in as Bernards Township Police Department’s new chief at Tuesday night’s committee meeting.

“It feels pretty good, our department is second to none,” Shimsky said of being promoted to police chief. “We have a huge amount of talented, educated people here. It was difficult for the town to choose amongst all of us. I have the utmost respect for all of my colleagues and am very fortunate to be the one to move forward.”

Shimsky will take over the spot effective April 1 with an annual salary of $163,000, following Robert Bobowicz’s retirement. Bobowicz finished his duties on Dec. 31, 2017, but will formally retire on April 1 following his 30 and a half years of service with the department.

Shimsky has been serving as acting police chief and officer in charge since Jan. 24. Shimsky has literally worked his way up to the top of the Bernards Township Police Department.

He landed his first job right out of college as a patrol officer with the department 22 years ago. He was promoted to administrative sergeant where one of his jobs was to do the accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

He also formally served as deputy chief and operations and officer of emergency management coordinator.

“I’ve definitely been exposed to a lot of different facets of the department as I worked up my way through the ranks and it afforded me different training opportunities, which I am sure will help in my new position,” Shimsky said.

As the new chief, Shimsky plans to continue proactive activities such as continuing to keep school safety as a top priority. Shimsky plans to work to enhance school safety and to address safety in the town as far as car and home burglaries.

Shimsky is very familiar with the area as he moved to Bernards Township in 2004 with his wife Catherine and has three daughters.

“I think it’s an absolute great place to live and the police department and entire municipal staff work so hard every day to make this such a great place to live and work,” Shimsky said.

(Image via Michael Shimsky)

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