Karin T. DiMichele Sworn in as Berkeley, Ocean County's First Female Police Chief

Her right hand held ramrod straight, Karin T. DiMichele took the oath of office to become Berkeley Township's new police chief in a Town Hall ceremony attended by hundreds this morning.

Her husband Thomas, a Toms River Township police officer, held the Bible, while her twin daughters Kelsey and Katelyn looked on. Katelyn carefully held her mother's police hat.

DiMichele, 40, a lifelong Bayville resident, was . Weinlein retired effective July 31 after more than three decades on the force, the last 11 years as police chief.

"We are looking forward to working with her for many years," Varano said.

"I look forward to working with this department and bringing this department into the future," said DiMichele, who received a standing ovation. "Thank you for your support."

"The job of chief is sometimes a thankless job," Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said before the oath was administered."On behalf of law enforcement in Ocean County, we are very very pleased by this selection. Congratulations."

Former Chief Samuel R. Britton - Berkeley Township's first police chief - sat in the audience, his hand resting on a cane. Former Chief Charles DeMey also attended.

"I loved it," Britton said after the ceremony. "This tickled the hell out of me. She's a good person."

Area police chiefs who attended included Toms River Police Chief Michael G. Mastronardy, Brick Chief Nils R. Berquist, Lacey Police Chief William Nally, Seaside Heights Chief Thomas J. Boyd, Pine Beach Chief John Sgro, Ocean Gate Chief Reese Fischer and South Toms River Chief Andrew Izatt.

Mastronardy said his department was "very proud of Karin and very proud of the mayor and council."

"We can assure you that the Ocean County chiefs will support Karin," he said.

Then he turned to Thomas DiMichele.

"Tom, this is going to be the best day and the worst day of your life," Mastronardy joked. "You're going to have to pick up the slack at home. She'll do extremely well."

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden also spoke. Golden, a former Toms River police officer, said he had worked with DiMichele on many occasions.

"Three words come to mind," Golden said. "Courage, commitment and character. This is what she has worked for."

"I think it's a great day when one of Ocean County's major township's selects a female to be chief of police," Ford said after the ceremony. "The glass ceiling is shattering."

Deputy Chief Karen Odum of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office recalled when she and DiMichele attended classes together. DiMichele usually bested her in grades, Odum said.

"I figured out very quickly who I needed to attach my wagon to," she joked. "Good luck and congratulations."

Five Berkeley police officers took the Civil Service test for the chief's position. DiMichele came with a score of 92.5 - first in the department and first in the state.

She began her career in the department in 1995 as a patrol officer in the patrol division. She was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the patrol division, where she served from 2001 to 2007. She has been a lieutenant in the patrol division since then.

DiMichele graduated from Monmouth University in 2001 with a masters degree in criminal justice. She graduated from Adelphi University in May 1993 with a degree in business administration.

DiMichele said last week she will decide how to best organize the 66-officer police department, down from 76 officers several years ago, when she took over. Traffic safety throughout the township will be high on her list of priorities.