Officer Promoted, New Hires Welcomed at Police Ceremony

In an effort to continue rebuilding, the promoted an officer and welcomed two to the force on Tuesday.

Officer Theodore Cooke was sworn in as a sergeant, just a week after the department , who retired after over two decades of service. 

Cooke, who has served 12 years as a patrolman in Manchester, finished third in the department's recent promotional testing.

"It's a very competitive process that can bring out the worst in people, but this time around it was so clean it was amazing," Klimakowski said. "The guys were pulling for each other."

The department most recently . The force is now 63 officers strong; Klimakowski has said that he hopes to have a 64-member force in place by June. In 2008, the department peaked at 68 officers.

Cooke works as a domestic violence liaison, teaching officers throughout the state on behalf of the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, and has served as the township's PBA delegate for five years.

"That requires a tremendous amount of dedication," Klimakowski said, adding that Cooke attends regular PBA meetings and keeps up to date with legislation that affects officers and police departments. 

"He has done an absolutely wonderful job," Klimakowski said. 

Watching Cooke take his oath were his wife, son, parents, in-laws and fellow officers. He told the audience that he would remain dedicated to the force. 

"I'm a workaholic," said. "I'm going to bust my butt as hard as I can."

Cooke also thanked the many colleagues he has served with throughout his career, people he said he learns from each day.

"You make us want to be better. You make me want to be better," Cooke said. "And hopefully I can impart some knowledge on you guys."

The promotional process began in mid-July and concluded in September.

"Basically for that nine weeks, your life shuts down. It's study, study, study," Klimakowski said.

Changes were made to promotions  early last year, when he emphasized the education side of the promotion process. So far, the chief said he feels the new direction "is really working."

As proof, Klimakowski said that the department's attorney, who also works with the Municipal Excess Liability Fund, recently asked for Manchester's promotional guidelines to use as a model for other departments throughout New Jersey. 

"It looks like they're adopting, more-or-less, our promotional system," Klimakowski said.

Michael Anderson, 23, and Steven Wendruff, 24, were hired by the department after serving on other New Jersey police forces. Klimakowski said that 270 prospective officers submitted applications when the process began in the Spring of 2011. The two finished among the top ten, which the chief said was "quite an accomplishment."

"It's not an easy process to go through and they've endured every step of the way," he said. 

Candidates underwent fitness, written and oral review exams, had "extensive" background checks, and took physical, psychological and drug tests.

"These gentlemen rose to the occasion and passed all the tests that are necessary," Klimakowski said. 

Klimakowski said that the department looks for two things especially in potential officers — that they have integrity and are able to "do the right thing when no one is looking," and that they treat everyone they encounter on the job with equality, "regardless of race, color or ethnicity."

"That's the foundation of what we do," he said.

Anderson, who once lived in Whiting, is a 2004 graduate of Howell High School. He went on to receive an associates degree in criminal justice from Brookdale Community College in 2008.

Anderson began his career at the Lake Como Police Department as a high school intern. That department then sponsored his enrollment in the Monmouth County Police Academy, where he earned a Class II certification in May of 2007. In January of 2009, Anderson joined the Helmetta Borough Police Department, where he was awarded three letters of commendation including one for recovering stolen jewelry before it could be melted and sold.

In December of 2010, his certification was waved and Anderson was made a full officer by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.

"I couldn't be happier to be standing right here," Anderson said. "I worked hard. This is where my family is from. This is where my home is and I'm thankful to be here."

Wendruff lives in Toms River and graduated from Toms River High School South in 2005. He studied criminal justice at Monmouth University, where he participated in track and field, and earned his bachelor's degree in 2009. That year, he started with Point Pleasant Borough as a Class I officer and graduated in 2010 with a Class II certification and was hired by the South Toms River Police Department.

The new officer thanked his friends and family for sticking with him through the years.

"I wouldn't be here without all of your support," he said. 

Hiring and promoting officers has been a challenge for Manchester over the past few years. to allow for rebuilding and in 2012 has reduced its salaries and wages budget by $125,000 from the previous year.

Klimakowski thanked township administrators for helping to facilitate the rebuilding of the department, a task that he said "is not an easy job in these economic times."

"I appreciate everything that they do," he said. "We're fortunate to have their support."

Mayor Michael Fressola was on-hand and offered his thoughts on the changing department. 

"I used to say that the Manchester Police Department was the best department in the county," he said. "I've broadened my scope... I believe the Manchester Police Department has become the best department in the state of New Jersey. It may be bragging a little bit, but I feel that way."