Four Watchung Police Officers Promoted

Four Watchung police officers started their new positions Friday after they received promotions at Thursday’s borough council meeting.

Andrew Hart was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant and Ken Boyle, Tim Hale and Arthur Holzheimer were promoted from patrolmen to sergeants.

“This is a very special evening,” Mayor Gerald Mobus said.

Hart, who joined the Watchung Police Department in August 1997 and is also known as “A.J. Squared Away,” will serve as patrol commander.

Boyle, who came to the Watchung Police Department in October 1998 from the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, has served as a patrolman and a detective. He is also an adjunct instructor in the criminal justice program at Morris County Community College.

Hale joined the Watchung Police Department in March 1994, and has served as interim traffic officer.

Holzheimer served in the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and the Dunellen Police Department before joining the Watchung Police Department in May 1997. He is also a co-leader of the Somerset County SWAT team and is the department’s gun range master.

Ptl. Heidi Skibenes has resigned from the department to take a position with the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.

“It’s a great career opportunity for her,” councilman Stephen Pote, police commissioner, said.