Manchester Police Promote 4, Welcome 2 New Officers

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Police Department promoted four officers and hired two new ones, administering the oaths to all six at a special ceremony recently.

Before their family, friends, and police personnel including Chief Lisa Parker, Mayor Kenneth Palmer administered the lieutenant oath to Officer James Komsa; the sergeant oath to Officers Patrick Morgan, Antonio Ellis, and Paul Bachovchin; the patrolman oath to Thomas Dill; and the Class II Special Officer oath to Gavin Reilly.

“The officers being promoted today are dedicated, hardworking individuals who will set high standards for those they supervise,” Parker said, noting the grueling testing process undergone by each candidate entails countless hours of study. “I’m proud of each of you for your commitment to serve the public, as well as each other.”

Palmer commended all of the officers who took their oaths.

“I see people promoted here today with whom I went to high school. That speaks volumes about our town. If you graduate from Manchester, you find a way to give back,” Palmer said. “You can’t ask for better leadership than what we have here.”

Lt. Komsa, who joined the department in 2000 as a patrol officer, holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He had been promoted to sergeant in 2011, and was responsible for revamping the agency’s Auxiliary Police Unit, recruiting 13 volunteers and implementing a rank structure. Additionally, Lt. Komsa was assigned to lead the Narcotics Enforcement Team in July 2014, where his leadership was instrumental in combating the opiate epidemic.

Sgt. Morgan, who joined the department in 2001, holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and physical education from The College of New Jersey and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in sports administration. He has served as a part-time member of the agency’s Traffic Safety Section, having completed Crash Investigations and Motorcycle/Pedestrian Accident Investigation training. He also worked to make an impact on local students as a school resource officer, a DARE officer, and a GREAT officer.

Sgt. Ellis, who joined the department in 2000, holds a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies and a master’s degree in administrative science. He served as a full-time member of the Traffic Safety Section. He holds numerous traffic/crash investigation related certifications and was among the first in the state of New Jersey to receive the Traffic Safety Specialist Certification. Additionally, he is regarded by his peers in the Traffic Safety community as an expert in the field. For many years, he has been instrumental in maintaining the agency’s police fleet. He also proudly represents the department as a member of the Honor Guard.

Sgt. Bachovchin, who joined the department in 1999, holds a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies and a master’s degree in administrative science. He has served as a part-time member of the agency’s Traffic Safety Section since 2005 and holds numerous specialized training certifications, many of which focus on crash investigations. During his career, he has served as field training officer, a DARE officer, and as a member of both the Manchester and Ocean County Regional SWAT team. Since 2004, Sgt. Bachovchin has also served as the department’s Chairman of the Municipal Alliance. He also is a member of the Honor Guard.

Following the promotions, Ptl. Dill and Special Officer Reilly were administered their oaths by Palmer. Their hiring is the culmination of a long and arduous process that began in January this year with an intense physical agility examination. This mentally and physically demanding portion of the examination, which started with approximately 230 individuals, was followed by a written examination and an oral board. After all three phases of the examination process was complete, the top candidates underwent a thorough background investigation and were required to successfully pass medical, psychological, and drug screenings.

Dill, a Freehold Township resident, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Marist College, New York, where he was a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. Following college, he completed training at the Ocean County Police Academy. After graduation in 2015, he served as a Class II Officer in the Borough of Belmar and later as a Class II Officer in Old Bridge Township.

Special Officer Reilly, a Toms River resident, is currently attending Kean University in pursuit of a criminal justice degree. He completed his associate’s degree at Ocean County College and Special Police Officer Training, Class 36, at the Ocean County Police Academy before being hired by the Seaside Heights Police Department as an SLEO II.

Officers Dill and Reilly will begin an intensive 12-week field training and evaluation program, during which time they will be instructed and mentored by several highly trained and seasoned officers, the department said in a news release. Upon successful completion of the FTO Program, these officers will be assigned to a patrol squad.

“This proud day would not be possible without the continued support of Mayor Palmer and the Township Council. I can say with sincerity and appreciation that their support makes all of this is possible,” Parker said.

Photos provided by the Manchester Township Police Department