Westfield Names New Chief Of Police

WESTFIELD, NJ – After months of signing missives and reports as "Acting Chief of Police," Christopher Battiloro will be able to remove acting from the title starting Wednesday.

According to Mayor Shelley Brindle, after an extensive and thorough search process, Town Administrator Jim Gildea made the recommendation to make Battiloro the permanent chief, which received the consent of the Mayor and the unanimous approval of the Town Council.

“I am thrilled to announce Chief Battiloro’s appointment today,” said Brindle. “He is a superb public servant who brings exceptional experience, character, and commitment to this critical role. When we began this search, I indicated that I was looking for someone who reflects the values of my administration and our community, with unquestionable integrity and the ability to transform the culture of the department into one that embodies trust and accountability. Chief Battiloro brings all of these qualities to the job, and is someone I know will dutifully represent our residents and the outstanding men and women in the department.”

For his part, Battiloro said he was honored to accept the role represent a department of so many exceptional public servants.

“I look forward to building further community engagement between the Police Department and the residents of Westfield," he said. "And remain committed to the highest standards with which I have been entrusted by the Mayor and Town Council.”

Battiloro joined the Westfield Police Department in 1997 as a Patrol Officer and, in his 21 years of service, has held a variety of roles, completed a broad range of specialized training, and has received numerous commendations, including two Westfield Police Department Life Saving Awards and four Westfield Police Department Command Citation Awards. Most recently, he served as Captain of Police as the commanding officer of the Administrative Division from 2013 to his August 2018 appointment as Acting Chief of Police.

Battiloro took the post of acting chief after the previous chief, David Wayman, retired after a pair of controversial incidents lead him to a meeting with the Union County Prosecutor's office and the town's labor counsel.

Battiloro is a graduate of Westfield High School and Clemson University, and resides in Cranford with his wife and three children. Chief Battiloro will be formally sworn in at the Town’s Annual Reorganization Meeting on Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m..

(Photo courtesy of Westfield)

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