METUCHEN — Two new officers have joined the ranks of the Metuchen Police Department, including a female officer who will become the third female officer in the department’s history.
A swearing in ceremony was held for Kelsey L. Florczak and Kevin Ryan with their family, friends and members of the department at a Borough Council meeting on Nov. 6.
“These officers were selected from a large group,” Mayor Peter Cammarano said.
Police Chief David Irizarry said the department received 188 applications.
“We interviewed 70 of the 188 applicants,” he said. “Everyone thought I was crazy for [interviewing] 70 but I did it … we then narrowed it down to 20 [applicants].”
Irizarry said the department then brought in Borough Administrator Jay Muldoon to join the interview process.
“We then narrowed [the applicants] to six,” Irizarry said. “At that point of 20, I was really comfortable hiring any of the 20. The competition out there right now is just incredible, but the best of the best is what we got tonight.”
Florczak comes to the department after serving with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.
Irizarry said Florczak is the third female officer to put on the Metuchen police uniform.
“Unfortunately, she’s the only female officer right now, but she said she has no problem with that,” Irizarry said. His comments brought laughter from the crowd.
Ryan comes to the department after serving with the Seaside Park Police Department.
“He grew up in Edison,” Irizarry said adding that Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University, Wayne.
Irizarry said the hiring of two new officers comes at a time to fill the retirement of longtime Police Captain Michael Kilker, which was effective on Oct. 1, and the pending retirement of Sgt. James Connolly, whose retirement is effective Dec. 31.
On Oct. 2, three long time officers were promoted in anticipation of the retirements. The new officers began their new positions on Nov. 7.
