Special Officers Join Brick Police Department

In an effort to cut down on overtime and keep patrol officers out on the streets, the Brick Township Police Department swore in eight part-time officers on Monday to fill new roles in the department.

The eight Class I Special law enforcement officers will be working as booking officers, doing paperwork when patrol officers arrest someone. They also will be used to enhance court security, Police Chief Rick Bergquist said at a recent Township Council meeting when he explained his budget requests for the year. They are not armed, Bergquist told the council.

“It allows the officer to get back on the road more quickly,” Bergquist said.

The officers are paid $18.87 per hour, he said.

On Tuesday evening, the Township Council approved a resolution to send the eight new officers to the Ocean County Police Academy for training before they begin work.

The ceremony was conducted at the municipal building, with Mayor John G. Ducey administering the oath of office. The police department was represented by Deputy Chief James Riccio, who welcomed the new officers to the ranks.

The new officers are John Stephenson, Joseph Riccio, Austin Blanco, Megan Villani, David Kubiak, Joshua Alvarado, William Kirchoff and Robert Triano.

(Photo credit: Brick Township Police Department)