New Police Officer To Serve Bridgewater Township

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A new officer joins the Bridgewater Police force. Johnathan Newnom was sworn in by Mayor Matthew Moench and Chief Paul Payne on Monday night during the township council meeting.

"As we welcome you to our agency I want you to know that you will have my full support, as well as the support of your supervisors and fellow officers. We will give you the education and tools to succeed in this profession. It is your goal to take those skills and build your career to succeed here," said Payne. "You will be faced with many challenges, and we are counting on you to remain professional and remember why you took this line of work. We are here to serve the community, who will always be our number one priority."

Newnom, who grew up in Toms River, graduated from Toms River High School North in 2013, and attended Albright College and Rowan University. He graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in May of 2018 and started his career with Mansfield Township Police Department in June of 2019, where he was an Officer for two years prior to coming to the Bridgewater Police Department.

Prior to that, he was a Class 1 and Class 2 Officer with Seaside Park Police Department for about a year and a half.

Newnom will start his field training Wednesday and will be assigned to a Field Training Officer next week, said Payne.

"As the Chief of Police, I am glad to have the full support of Mayor Matthew Moench and Township Administrator Michael Pappas, as well as the Town Council when it comes to putting Police Officers on the department. This administration cares about this community and this agency, it makes my job easier when you have the full backing of an administration. As an agency we are blessed to be surrounded by a great community that supports us every day," said Payne.

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

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.