Ducey Names Deputy Chief As Brick's Next Police Chief

Brick Township will have a new chief in town, when Deputy Chief James Riccio is sworn in next month at the Dec. 15 Township Council meeting, officials said.

In an email last week to township staff, Mayor John G. Ducey announced the promotion of Riccio to succeed Police Chief Rick Bergquist, who is retiring Dec. 1 after 35 years with the township police department.

“He (Riccio) is an outstanding leader who will play in instrumental role in how our police department continues to evolve to serve the needs of our community,” Ducey said.

Riccio was hired in 1986 and has worked on the township’s Special Enforcement Team, was assigned to the Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force, and has worked with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI, Ducey said. Riccio also has supervised the Drug Enforcement Unit and served on the Internal Affairs Unit, he said. As deputy chief, Riccio handled budget preparation, administration, planning, developing and implementing department policies and procedures, as well as project development. He also has spent more than 30 years as a volunteer with the Breton Woods Fire Company and is a District 1 fire commissioner.

Ducey said he interviewed the 10 highest-ranking officers in the department to choose the next police chief and to fill other openings created as a result of the retirement of Capt. Craig Lash.

Capt. Robert Mazza, a 27-year member of the Brick police department, has accepted the position of deputy chief, Ducey said. Mazza has served as a shift commander, a patrol supervisor, and is currently commander of the investigations division as well as the Special Enforcement Response Team.

Lt. Donald Ling and Lt. Vincent Pacitti will be promoted to captain positions, and will work side-by-side with Capt. Ron Dougard, Ducey said. “They both bring extensive experience in many areas of police work and will play integral roles in the leadership of our police department. These three captains are the ideal men to lead and support the chief and deputy chief,” he said.

Ducey said additional promotions for open lieutenant and sergeant positions will be announced in the coming weeks.

“In my opinion, Brick Township has the finest police department in the country,” Ducey said. “We are so fortunate to have exemplary officers, highly trained and specialized in police work who are all committed to the safety of our residents.”