Township Mayor Swears in Three New Police Officers

For the first time in 10 years, the has three new officers who were sworn in Friday afternoon. Their first day on the job will be Monday, assisting with the Memorial Day parade.

Travis Cangialosi, Christopher Reilly and Vincent Santa each recited their oaths in the installation ceremony held in the municipal complex Friday with family, friends, officials and fellow police officers in attendance.

Their first task will be to help the force with the township's annual Memorial Day parade scheduled for Monday morning. After that, Police Chief Randy Ciocco said they will undergo departmental training, which should take about six weeks, and he hopes to have them out on their own in July.

The hires come at a time when the police department is down to 11 to 14 officers available to work, from 22 a year ago. The low number is due to retirements, injuries and leaves, officials have said. Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said the hires had to happen to relieve the strain on the department and also to reduce overtime costs.

At the last council meeting Monday, Council President Fred Goetz had raised concern that there wasn't enough money in the budget to pay three additional officers, but Sobkowicz said Friday there should be enough because the officers are coming on after half the year is over and the overtime pay would be greatly reduced.

"They'll probably have some overtime too, but the most it would be is $40 an hour. We'll make it up along the way," she said. The township currently pays between $80 and $100 per hour for overtime.

Sobkowicz said she thought having the officers start on Memorial Day was a good idea because they will get to meet a lot of the residents and get a feel for the community.

The Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. in the township along Ridgewood Road. Check back with Patch Sunday afternoon for a full preview with all the details.