Howell Police Chief Kudrick Retires

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township will have a new chief of police beginning Friday, after Chief Andrew A. Kudrick Jr. announced his retirement Thursday, effective immediately.

Kudrick is retiring after 32 years on the Howell force and seven years as its chief. In a statement on the department's Facebook page, Kudrick said he has accepted a job offer elsewhere.

"Last year I announced to my staff my intention to retire this year. It was a decision I have been heavily weighing the last few months," Kudrick wrote. In a message to Patch, he said he had planned to retire April 30, but that changed Thursday.

"Today, I did not hesitate to accept an offer that was presented to me," Kudrick said in his statement on Facebook. "Although my love for this job is the same as the first day, it is time to move on."

Capt. Mark Pilecki is set to be sworn in as acting chief at midnight, Howell business administrator Brian Geoghegan said in an email to Patch.

Kudrick, who has lived in Howell for 45 years, became involved with the department as a Police Explorer in 1990. He rose through the Explorer ranks to the level of captain and was an active member until 1994, when he became an adult adviser to the group.

Becoming a member of the Howell Police Explorer Post was one of "the best and one of the most important decisions" he ever made, Kudrick said in 2015, when he was appointed police chief.

Kudrick, 48, was hired in 1993 as a full-time 911 telecommunications operator. He became a patrolman in 1995 and worked as a field training officer for the department for several years, training new officers in how to perform the duties of a law enforcement professional.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2002 and was a first-line supervisor within the uniformed Patrol Division, then became a lieutenant in 2005 and was the training unit supervisor and later commander of the patrol division until 2012. Kudrick was promoted to captain in October 2012.

Kudrick served as president of the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association in 2021.

Kudrick in 2019 had agreed to a new contract to serve as chief through 2024, but said the stresses of the last several years had taken a toll on him and on his wife and son.

"I was honored to be the Chief of Police of an agency I have held in such high regard since I was a child," Kudrick said in his public statement. "Being the Chief of Police was an absolute honor. It did however come with significant responsibilities, challenges and situations. From deadly force encounters to managing a public health crisis, it wears heavy after time, especially on one’s family. Although I had to make many tough decisions as a Chief, sometimes unpopular, this one wasn't."

The stress of the coronavirus pandemic has weighed heavily on law enforcement, and Kudrick, who has never shied from taking a public stand on issues, drew criticism in some circles when he said Howell officers would not be breaking up Thanksgiving gatherings in November 2020, despite executive orders from Gov. Phil Murphy limiting gatherings.

The last several months brought stress of a different kind, as Kudrick was the subject of a no-confidence vote in December in the midst of a dispute with the Howell Township PBA, which accused him of trying to sabotage the union. Kudrick has never addressed that matter publicly.

"I thank all of you for the love and support you have shown to me and this department over the years," Kudrick said in his public statement. "I thoroughly enjoyed our interactions throughout the community, especially at our events. I could not be more proud to have been a Howell police officer. It was my childhood dream. I was so fortunate to work alongside so many outstanding officers and personnel. The friends I have made and the memories will last a lifetime."

"I have the utmost confidence in Captain Pilecki being in charge of the PD while the transition is made," Kudrick said. "Although today is my last official day as a police officer, I will be around the PD to assist. As a resident, I certainly will see all of you out in public. My sincere gratitude to all of you!"