South Brunswick Police Chief Jim Ryan Takes Oath Of Office

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — James "Jim" Ryan was sworn in as the seventh police chief in the South Brunswick Police Department's 90-year history during a ceremony Tuesday at the public library amphitheater.

Ryan's wife, Kim, and father joined him for the oath, with his father holding the Bible as he was sworn in.

"Today I'm honored to be part of a history of an agency that's committed to its service to its community," Ryan said. "As the seventh chief of the South Brunswick Police Department, we will work hard to serve the people we were sworn to serve. I'm honored and humbled to lead such great men and women of this agency."

Ryan, a 31-year veteran of the department, had served as deputy chief for the past eight years before his appointment. He is the first chief in department history to have held every rank in the department, with assignments as a patrol officer, detective, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief.

Ryan and his wife, Kim, raised their four children in South Brunswick and have been members of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church for more than 25 years.

Ryan's faith commitment extends into his volunteer work. He has served on the board of Catholic Charities and, after Hurricane Sandy, was appointed by Catholic Charities to oversee disaster relief efforts throughout Middlesex County. He has also served on the boards of the South Brunswick Soccer Club, South Brunswick Education Foundation, NJ State PBA Survivor and Welfare, and Woman Aware, and coached youth soccer and basketball in the township for more than 10 years.

He officially began his tenure as chief Sept. 1.

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