Point Pleasant Beach Welcomes New Police Chief

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — The start of 2022 has brought a changing of the guard in Point Pleasant Beach, as long-time Police Chief Joseph A. Michigan retired and Capt. Robert Kowalewski was promoted to lead the department.

Michigan retired as of Dec. 31 following 27 years of service. He was honored at the Dec. 21 council meeting, the police department said in a post on its Facebook page.

"It has been the job of a lifetime and I’m really proud of what we’ve done and can’t be happier," said Michigan, who had been chief since 2017.

Michigan began his career in Point Pleasant Beach in 1994 as a special officer and was appointed as a police officer in 1995. He was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and lieutenant in 2012 before becoming chief. He was the borough’s first K-9 handler, working with narcotic/patrol dog Axel and narcotic/patrol dog Doc.

Michigan also served as the president of the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association in 2021, and was an active member of the NJ Association of Chiefs of Police, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

"Chief Michigan is known for his close ties to the community and relationships with other law enforcement agencies, and his loving dedication to his family," the police department post said. "Thank you for your service and devotion to this community. We wish you the best on your future endeavors, Chief!"

Kowalewski, who was promoted to chief at Sunday's council reorganization meeting, grew up in Point Pleasant Beach and has served the community for 20 years, starting as a special officer in 2002. He was hired full-time in 2002 and was promoted to sergeant in 2017, to lieutenant in 2019 and to captain in 2020.

Kowalewski graduated from Ocean County College in 1997 and received his bachelor's degree in administration of justice from Rutgers University in 2000. He earned his master's degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2007.

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