Manchester Police Welcome New Officers

welcomed three officers Monday morning, one of the first steps toward combating the dwindling size of the force which has been hit by retirements and budget cuts.

The department faces a , and while the new hires will offset the number of retiring police, the force will remain under its authorized strength, said Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski.

"Our goal for right now is to get to 64. What we consider our peak in 2008 was 68," he said. "We're heading in the right direction. We're on the upward."

The three incoming officers, who will begin at the department as patrolmen, will bring the department's officer count to 61, Klimakowski said.

"I think you're joining the finest municipal police department in the state," said Mayor Michael Fressola in remarks before the officers were sworn in.

Sergeants Glenn Murphy and Anthony Cucchiara most recently retired in early August, the chief said. 

The newcomers all have "tremendous character," Klimakowski said. "All three are educated and I think are top-quality candidates."

Anthony Iliadis, 28, of Jackson, graduated the Virginia Military Institute and served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the rank of captain and serving two tours in the Middle East and one tour in Iraq, Klimakowski said.

About 270 prospects applied for the physical fitness test in April, the first part of the hiring process. Of those, 170 were given the written exam, and the top 25 scorers on that were then considered for positions, the chief said.

"If anyone knows our physical, it's pretty strenuous," the chief said.

Iliadis stood out, according to Klimakowski, since he helped fellow applicants during the test after finishing his requirements.

"Anthony then proceeded to get back on the track and get the rest of his guys through. I thought that was a real admirable thing," he said.

Jason Wiener, 30, of Old Bridge, went to Ramapo College and received a psychology degree before joining the Transportation Security Administration. He also served as a part-time dispatcher for the Monmouth University Police and volunteer firefighter in Cheesequake. 

Wiener had fallen just short of making the force before, Klimakowski said, and had to reapply for consideration again this year.

"He's endured a lot to get to here," Klimakowski said. Wiener had started academy with the New Jersey State Police two weeks ago but decided to join Manchester's force, the chief said. 

Richard Corbett, 26, of Jackson, studied psychology and biology at Rutgers University and attended the Ocean County Police Academy and received his Class 2 officer certification in 2009, Klimakowski said. He has been a seasonal officer in Point Pleasant Beach since 2008.

The high number of applicants was a combination of the hard economic times and the Manchester Police Department's reputation, Fressola said. 

"It's well respected. We get so many applicants," he said. "I've seen the physical requirements that they have to go through. It's absolutely unbelievable. When they pass it, you know that they're in good shape."

As for adding more officers next year, the mayor and chief both understand that they must work with a tight budget. Last year, it appeared as though the department because of fiscal concerns. 

"We will judge that when we go through the budgeting for next year and find out where we are as far as the 2 percent cap is concerned," Fressola said. "Everything we do here is determined by that 2 percent cap. If we come out under that cap, there's the possibility we may add another officer or two."

Last month, Klimakowski spoke about bolster the number of officers. The chief said that PBA Local 246 concessions earlier in the year have helped provide the framework for increasing force numbers.  for officers should reduce budget strains going forward, Klimakowski said.

"The chief is very understanding and knows the problems that we face and he works with us so well. I want to help him in every way I can, so if the money is available, we'll expand the force," Fressola said.

"It's about working within the budget," Klimakowski said. "I completely understand that. The administration has been working hard to make this happen. Without them, I can't hire anybody."

Wiener and Iliadis must now attend police academy for 5-and-a-half months, followed by 3-months of field training before they can patrol Manchester's streets. Corbett, who has already completed the police academy, only needs to finish field training.

"It's going to take some time before we get them on the streets, but the process is moving forward," Klimakowski said.