From Deputy Chief To Sergeant, Four South Brunswick Officers Promoted

The South Brunswick Police Department has a new deputy chief, captain, lieutenant and sergeant.

The four officers were promoted Friday.

“For the third time in the history of the South Brunswick Police Department there is a new deputy police chief,’’ a news release from the department said.

According to that news release:

James J. Stoddard was promoted to deputy chief. He has been with the department for 28 years, and previously served as a supervisor in the patrol bureau, the traffic bureau and detective bureau, and as the commander of the South Brunswick Emergency Response Team. He also spent some time assigned to the Middlesex County Narcotics Task Force and served as a member of the Middlesex County Special Operations and Response Team.

During his career he has received numerous medals, awards and commendations for exceptional service. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Justice from Rowan University and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a graduate of the NJ Police Executive Institute and FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

“Jim has all the skills and experience needed to guide our agency through the transition and challenges ahead,” Chief Raymond Hayducka said of Stoddard in a prepared statement.

James Ryan, a 20-year veteran, was promoted to captain. He served as patrol officer and detective for 14 years before becoming a sergeant in 2009. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2013. He has served as the department crisis negotiator and public information officer for 15 years. He has received 56 letters of commendation, awards, and medals for his years of service.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University and a Master’s Degree from New Jersey City University in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the NJ Chiefs Command and Leadership Academy and the College of Policing, Bramshill, England. He is also an adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College.

Scott Reeves, a 20-year veteran, was promoted to lieutenant. He served as a patrol officer, field training officer, and range instructor before becoming a sergeant in 2010. He was the deputy commander for the South Brunswick Emergency Response Team in 2011. He has received 18 letters of commendation and awards for his service with the department. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Institute.

Roger Tuohy, who has been on the force for a decade, was promoted to sergeant. He has worked as a patrol officer and specialized in narcotics detection. He was previously assigned to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force. He became a detective in 2011. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from New Jersey City University.

In a prepared statement, Mayor Frank Gambatese spoke about the challenges of losing officers to retirement, but said he had confidence in the officers who were promoted.

Photo courtesy South Brunswick police; Deputy Chief James Stoddard