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A standing room only crowd turned out Wednesday morning to support the cadre of new Asbury Park Police Department’s officers.

Family, friends, current police department members across all ranks, Mayor John Moor, Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton, Councilman Jesse Kendle and Fire Department Chief Kevin Keddy were among the attendees. City Clerk Cindy Dye swore in the new officers. 

The nine new hires, who all currently reside in Asbury Park, are among the largest group sworn into service in recent years, Police Department Deputy Chief David Kelso said.

“I don’t believe a scale of this hire has happened in the city for years,” Kelso said in thanking  City Manager Michael Capabianco for his support.

The new officers [and pending retirements] bring the department’s total to 88 but state department calculations for a department serving a community of this size shows a need for a 102 officers.

“It’s nice to see that so many of our specials, some of them with us for six years, come up through the ranks to be on top of the list and get a promotion,” Mayor John Moor said. “It is a uniquely diverse class and I hope they all decide to stay and remain living in town.”

The list is based on test scores, Moor said. While the department keeps hiring city residents as a priority, test scores play an integral part in who makes the final department cut.

The Asbury Park Police Department new members include Roger Pharel, Julius Johnson, Timothy Griswold, Ada Lamadrid, James Crawford, Anthony Fiorentino, Sean McGrady, Alyssa Riveramorales, and Stephen Martinsen.

All enter the force at a $34,627.78 annual salary, with three members headed to the police academy on Monday. Two of the new police department members enter with full certification and four who have  academy waiver status will begin work on Sept. 5.

“You just joined a great police department in a great city,” Kelso said. “If you need help, reach out for help. Just remember one thing, when you hit the streets, treat everyone the way you would want to be treated.”

The swearing in ceremony was bittersweet as the force said goodbye to retiring Captain Todd Wilson.

“Policing has changed because the culture around us has changed,” Wilson, a 25-year long veteran and city native said. “You have to adapt to those changes. I would say to these new officers – take care of each other.”

Wilson, who plays several instruments, said he will focus on continuing to play music with his band Phatrax and Friends, regulars at Clancy’s on Main Street in Ocean Grove.

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