Great work by Team Toms River Police this week at the Special Olympics Plane Pull. On September 24th we arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport with one goal in mind; to pull a Boeing 737 across the runway to raise funds for New Jerseys special athletes. Our team finished 5th overall out of 54 teams in our very first entrance into this event. We also finished 7th in fundraising thanks to our supporters. Our team members received nearly $4,000 in donations while the overall event raised in excess of $100,000. One hundred percent of the donations go to support NJ Special Olympics. Chief Mitchell Little, who participated in the event, said he was proud of his twenty officers that volunteered their time to help raise money. “It was a great day and a wonderful chance to give back to the residents of our community.”

For the second year in a row, members of the Toms River Police Department won the Bravest and Finest law enforcement flag football tournament hosted by the Manchester Police Department. The tournament raises money for various charities. This year’s recipient is Children’s Specialized Hospital of Toms River. On the road to the championship we faced the Ewing Police Department, Ocean County Corrections, Franklin Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Prosecutors office. In the championship game we faced the “Pig Skins” a team consisting of Berkeley Township and Beachwood Police Department officers, winning by a score of 13-6.

Pictured in the photograph from left to right is: Robert Gadaleta, Randall Stallworth, Jason Stallworth, Matthew Broderick, Ronnie Bayer, Vinny Pedalino, Ron Sermarini, Ryan Cummings, Adam Carey, Brian Appleby, and Frank Moschella.

Thank you very much to the Fishbach family for dropping off “Police Officer Survival Kits.” The children worked very hard on putting these together. They delivered 160 bags; which is enough for every officer here at TRPD. Their generosity is much appreciated and put a bright spot in our otherwise hectic day. Great work kids- we expect big things from you in the future.

(Toms River Township / Ocean County, NJ) A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Monday, 07/18/16, to examine all aspects of the Toms River Township Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Mitchell Little announced today.

“Verification by the team that the Toms River Township Police Department meets the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Chief Little said.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 732-914-0121 on Monday, 07/18/2016 between the hours of 9:00AM – 11:00AM. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team. Email comments can be sent to the police department at accreditation@trpolice.org.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Toms River Township Police Department, 255 Oak Avenue, Toms River, N.J. 08753. Please contact Mr. Sam Seaman at 732-349-0150 ext. 1843 for more information.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Toms River Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J. Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager, hdelgado@njsacop.org, by phone 856.3348943, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chief’s of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Toms River Township Police Department must comply with 106 standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Little indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”

The Accreditation Program Manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status”, Harry J Delgado stated.

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053

After the recent ambush execution killings of five police officers in Dallas Texas; Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little assigned two officers to attend the memorial services. Police spokesman Ralph Stocco states that “When tragedy strikes law enforcement anywhere in the world we feel it here. It is a brother and sisterhood that transcend the boundaries of towns, states, and countries.” Chief Little adds that “We were overwhelmed with the support we received from our local community after the Dallas murders. Many of the people we protect and serve every day took the time to send us well wishes in the form of cards, letters, phone calls, emails, and personal visits.” They wanted us to know that we had community support right here in our home town. Little goes on to say that the travel expenses were paid for by the Toms River Police Foundation and Toms River PBA 137. No tax dollars were used.

The officers took a moment to have a photograph taken next to a Dallas Police vehicle while at the service. On the left is Officer Nick Franco, a four year member of the department and on the right is Officer Jesse Robertazzi, a fifteen year veteran and the NJ State PBA delegate for the township.

We all know there will be unauthorized use of fireworks this weekend. For those of you who chose to do this; please use extreme caution and be fully aware of the potential dangers and legal consequences.
The Fireworks Acts; Manufacture, Storage, and Transportation of Fireworks (N.J.S.A. 21:2-1 et seq.) are enforced to prevent the unlawful manufacture, sale, transportation, and use of dangerous fireworks. Any person who purchases, uses, discharges, causes to be discharged, ignites, fires, or otherwise sets in action, or possesses any fireworks is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense.

More dogs escape their yards on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.
Just a friendly reminder to hopefully prevent some dogs from going missing on the 4th. Fireworks are scary for animals. Please walk your dog or take them in the yard with a leash and a collar or harness they can’t slip out of for July 4th weekend. A dog panicked by fireworks can slip out of their collar or leap a fence even if they’ve never done it before. Also, give them a safe place in a part of the house and in a comfortable room. Turn up the TV or radio to lessen the impact of the noise

The Toms River Police Department will be running its third annual “Operation Brain Freeze” to promote compliance with helmet laws in an attempt to prevent traumatic brain injuries. Police spokesman Ralph Stocco says that this year’s campaign is set to begin Wednesday June 22nd and will run through September 4th 2016. Last year we had 40 Officers participate, handing out over 300 vouchers for free ice cream. Stocco says that this year we hope to issue 500 vouchers. The participating ice cream shops on the barrier island and beach area are Summer Sweets and Barnacle Bills. Participating shops in the mainland area of the township are Yellow Brick Road Carousel, Mrs. Walkers, Rita’s, Dairy Queen, and Denae’s Sweet Shop.

While on patrol, if an officer observes a child riding a bicycle, skateboard, roller blades, or scooter while correctly wearing a safety helmet, the officer will approach them and talk to the kids as they stress the importance of them wearing their helmets. As an incentive the children will then be provided with a voucher to one of the local businesses that entitle them to on free ice cream. For safety reasons only officers in uniform and driving marked police cars will be participating.

This was such a positive event the last two years. We wanted to expand it in 2016 in order to reach as many children as possible. According to Stocco, last year saw children riding around their neighborhoods looking for police cars that would observe them obeying the law so they could talk to the officers, and of course, get some free ice cream. Chief Mitchell Little says that “it is such a joy to be able to interact with the children and have them see the officers in a positive light. We are trying to build lifelong relationships with them. We thank our sponsors who are donating the ice cream. Without them this event would not be possible.”

From Toms River Patch as reported by Karen Wall

Manchester, NJ — They flipped tires, carried sandbags and ran 5 miles, and even pulled a Humvee.
In the end, it was the Stafford Township Police Department Team Blue that came out on top in the second annual Elite Law Enforcement Fitness Challenge hosted by the Manchester Township Police Department.
Stafford Team Blue earned the title of Fittest Police Department, beating out 17 other four-person teams for the honor. In second place was Toms River Township Police Team 1, followed by Toms River Township Police Team 2 in third.
The competition, held Wednesday at Harry Wright Lake in Whiting, raised nearly $6,000 for Ocean of Love, the charity that assists Ocean County families of children battling cancer, and the not-for-profit Manchester Township Police Foundation Inc.
“To be successful in this Elite Fitness Challenge, you must be in excellent physical condition,” Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said. “This is one of the most intense competitions that only highly trained athletes can successfully complete.”
The exercises included team vehicle pull, team tire flip, fence climbs, rope climbs, barrel roll, team member carry, farmers carry, clean and press, individual tire flip, pole flip/carry, sandbag carry, firehose drag, 200 yard swim, and a five mile trail run.
“Police officers need to commit to maintaining a physical standard for their entire career, as the nature of their job demands it,” Parker said. “Their departments should be proud of their accomplishment and sincere dedication to fitness.”
Manchester Detective David Fusaro and Patrolman Charles Gatnarek, who organized the event, said they are appreciative of everyone who participated and are looking forward to continuing this event and supporting various charities, the department said.
“The Manchester Township Police would like to extend a special thank you to our Gold Sponsors: Termini Nutrition Center, Forked River and Bayville; Barnabas Health Medical Group, West Orange; Cardiology Consultants of Toms River; Thompson Chiropractic, Toms River; A Simply Greener Side, Toms River, Crossfit Arx, Toms River; and Kettlebell Kitchen, New York and New Jersey,” the department said.

Mayor Thomas Kelaher, Police Chief Mitchell Little, and the entire town council were pleased to have made three promotions last evening. Pictured from left to right are Sergeant Thomas Dugan, Lieutenant Christopher Anderson, Mayor Thomas Kelaher, Sergeant Robert Burczyk, and Councilman Kevin Geoghegan. These promotions were made to fill three vacancies that occurred due to recent retirements.