Retiring Hazlet Police Chief Honored With Walkout Ceremony

HAZLET, NJ – Members of Hazlet Township Police Department joined forces with law enforcement leaders this week to honor soon-to-be-retired Police Chief Philip Meehan, who has spent over 30 years serving both the country and the Hazlet community, according to the department. The Chief was recognized with a walkout ceremony on Monday.

43 officers and department members, representatives of Monmouth County law enforcement agencies, professional colleagues, friends, family and community leaders honored Meehan at the ceremony behind the Hazlet Police Station on Middle Road, according to a release from the township.

Deputy Chief Ted Wittke is slated to take over Meehan's duties and attain the Hazlet Police Chief title.

"What I can say is that it is true, it has been an honor to serve Hazlet," Meehan said at the ceremony. "I have 100 percent confidence in Ted’s abilities. I think he’s going to continue to move the department in a positive and forward direction. I’m excited for him, and his command staff."

Meehan is a Marine Corps veteran of Desert Storm who began his law enforcement career with the Sussex County Corrections in 1994. He was hired as a patrol officer at Lakehurst P.D. in 1997 before moving on to the Hazlet Township Police Department. The Chief spent the next 23 years rising through the ranks of Hazlet Police, eventually going on to serve as the fifth Chief of Police in the town's history.

Meehan was sworn in to replace retired Chief James Broderick in 2016, according to Monmouth County Police, Fire & EMS.
“[Chief Meehan] has shown excellent leadership to the men and women of our agency, he has provided outstanding service to the Hazlet Community and he has touched many lives along the way,” wrote the police department in a social media post on Monday.

Meehan earned a Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor's Degree from Thomas Edison University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is ACE Accredited through the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police.

“He will be missed by all that have worked with him throughout the years and who have served under his command,” the department wrote.

“Please help us in wishing him and his family all the very best in their future endeavors.”

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