2 New Police Officers, Firefighter, Chaplain Welcomed In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Emergency Services division welcomed two new patrol officers, a firefighter and a new police chaplain recently in Manchester.

Patrolmen Sean Rembach and Joseph Stapleton, Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician Nathan Brown, and Police Chaplain Rev. Dr. J. Francis Watson were sworn in by Mayor Robert Hudak.

Rembach is a lifelong Manchester resident who served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, was a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II in Point Pleasant Beach and patrolman in Cherry Hill before being hired in Manchester. He is a Manchester Township High School graduate, has an associate's degree from Central Texas College and is working on his bachelor’s degree from Farleigh Dickinson University.

Stapleton grew up in Brick. He was a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class I in Bay Head, then worked for the state Department of Corrections, Mantoloking Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. He is a Brick High School graduate and has an associate's degree from Ocean County College.

Rembach and Stapleton were chosen from among 100 people who applied, Dolan said. They will begin Manchester's 12-week Field Training and Evaluation Program where they will be instructed and mentored by several highly trained, veteran officers, Dolan said.

Brown has lived in Manchester for 21 years and is a Manchester High School graduate. He joined Whiting Volunteer Fire Company in 2015, completing his training at the Ocean County Fire Academy. He recently became certified in fire investigations and is a fire inspector.

Watson became the fourth person who serve as the police chaplain. Watson is the pastor at the Christ Lutheran Church in Whiting and graduated from Police Chaplain training in May 2022. He has a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Drew University in 2001 and has been honored with numerous awards throughout his career including the Award of Commendation from Concordia Historical Institute in 2010 and 2015.

“No matter the position, whether Patrolman, Firefighter/EMT or Police Chaplain, the Manchester Township Police Department and Division of Emergency Services selects only top-tier candidates through vigorous pre-employment testing,” Dolan said. “Only those individuals who are truly dedicated to excelling in the service of their community can successfully navigate the process. Every candidate taking their oath today has proven that they are immensely qualified to join our agency. They will serve the residents of our community with honor and integrity.”