Wall Police Department Receives Accreditation Honor

The Wall Township Police Department had quite a week, receiving its accreditation status as it promoted three officers and swore in five new ones at the Township Committee meeting last week.

The department received its New Jersey State Association of the Chiefs of Police Accreditation Award from NJSACOP Program Coordinator Harry J. Delgado, according to a news release from Detective Lt. Pete Lokerson.

“Accredited status represents a significant professional achievement. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective,” Lokerson said.

NJSACOP Assessors came to the Wall Township Police Department on Nov. 2 and 3, 2014 to conduct an onsite inspection, and a review hearing was held on March 19, at which time the department was recommended to become an accredited agency, he said.

Three officers were promoted:

Police Chief Robert Brice said Sgt. Chad Clark was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, while Patrolman Dan Santoro and Patrolman Ed Lister both were promoted to sergeant.

Additionally, four new officers were sworn in:

• Christopher Mason, 22, of Avon
• Cory Whitman, 24, of Wall Township
• Thomas Gavaghan, 24, of Wall Township
• Stephen Swenson, 31, of Belmar

The four will begin the Monmouth County Police Academy Aug. 4 and will graduate Dec. 17, Lokerson said.

Cole Kennedy, 20, of Lacey Township, was sworn in as a Class II Special Police Officer.

(Left to right; Steve Swenson, Thomas Gavaghan, Cole Kennedy, Corey Whitman, Chris Mason. Credit: Wall Township Police)