Manchester Police Hire 2 Officers, Promote 1

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Police Department added two new officers and promoted one to full-time during a ceremony Monday at the municipal complex.

Patrolman Michael Gardner and Special Law Enforcement Officer II Kevin Rembach were sworn in by Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer during a ceremony in the Municipal Complex Civic Center on January 14, 2019, in front of family, police personnel and Township administrators. Additionally, SLEO II Robert Campolei, who joined the department last September and has excelled in that role, was hired as a full-time patrolman.

Campolei, 32, of Lacey, is a graduate of Ocean County College and began his law enforcement career in 2015 as a SLEO I with the Seaside Heights Police Department. After graduating from the Ocean County Police Academy, he worked as a SLEO II for Seaside Heights and later Lacey Township. During the ceremony, Chief Lisa Parker said Campolei performed exemplary during his Field Training and Evaluation Program as a SLEO II.

Gardner, 23, of Toms River, is a graduate of Toms River High School North and earned a bachelor's in criminal Justice from Stockton University. He previously worked for the Seaside Heights Police Department. He graduated eighth in his class from the Ocean County Police Academy in May 2018.

Rembach, 27, is a lifelong resident of Manchester. Rembach, who is an Eagle Scout, attended Ocean County College, Stockton University, and is currently completing his degree in public administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He previously worked for the Seaside Park Police Department and graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in May 2016.

The swearing in ceremony was led by Parker, who explained that the intensive Manchester Township Police Department hiring process began in January 2018, when approximately 170 individuals submitted their applications for employment. For the first phase, applicants participated in the physical agility exam that consisted of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts, and a 1-mile run. Those applicants who achieved a passing score advanced to the boxing component. The 92 applicants who completed all portions of the physical exam were invited to participate in the written exam. From there, the top scorers went before the oral board for extensive interviews. Those candidates considered for employment underwent a thorough background investigation and submitted to medical, psychological, and drug screenings.

These officers were hired in response to recent and anticipated retirements within the department, officials said.

"Only those individuals who are truly dedicated to excelling in the law enforcement profession and can meet the high standards of our pre-employment testing are considered to join the ranks of the Manchester Township Police Department," Parker said. "We’re proud that Patrolman Campolei, Patrolman Gardner, and SLEO II Rembach, all upstanding and driven individuals, will serve our community."

Gardner and Rembach now will begin the Manchester Township Police Department’s intensive 12-week field training and evaluation program.

Photos provided by Manchester Township Police