JACKSON – Police officers Michael Grochowski and Theodore Kucowski are the newest sergeants in the Jackson Police Department.
Police Chief Matthew Kunz promoted Grochowski and Kucowski to their new rank during the Jan. 23 meeting of the Township Council.
“They represent us well and it is truly my honor to bring them in front of the public tonight to share in this great night as they advance in their careers and better represent Jackson and the police department,” Kunz said.
The chief said Grochowski graduated from Kearny High School in 1989 and captained the football team. Following high school, Grochowski worked in the New Jersey Department of Corrections prior to joining the Jackson Police Department in 1998.
Grochowski has served on the Jackson SWAT and the Ocean County SWAT teams. He was selected as Jackson’s Police Officer of the Year in 2007 and 2013. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division where he serves as a mentor and field training officer for new officers. Grochowski is an instructor for firearms training, defensive tactics training and physical fitness.
Grochowski established a community outreach program through the police department and PBA Local 168. He has organized the construction of vegetable gardens for children who live in group homes, the construction of wheelchair ramps for individuals who have a disability and the removal of graffiti throughout Jackson, and he established a drug awareness program for parents to better protect their children, according to the police chief.
“Officer Grochowski’s passion for police work stems for his desire to help and serve people. He is known for his active participation in the community as he works diligently to make Jackson better and especially to help those in need,” Kunz said.
The chief said Kucowski was born and raised in North Hanover. In 1995 he joined the North Hanover Police Department as a Class II special officer. In 1996 he became a patrolman in North Hanover. In 1998, he joined the Plumsted Police Department as a patrolman. Kucowski came to Jackson in 1999 and since November 2002, he has served as a detective and an officer.
Kucowski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2013. He earned a Master of Administrative Science degree in public administration management in 2015.
Kucowski has been a member of the Jackson Special Response Team and the Ocean County Regional Sniper Team. He has been an instructor for the Jackson police firearms training unit since 2003.
In 2006, Kucowski attended the FBI sniper school. He served as an instructor for the FBI sniper school from 2006-12. Since 2009, he has been the sniper coordinator for the Ocean County Regional SWAT team.
Addressing the new sergeants, Kunz said, “The hallmark of both of your professional careers has been your professionalism, the way you carry yourselves.
“You obviously strive every day to be a professional police officer and as you ascend to the rank of sergeant, I will ask you to embrace the two roles of mentor and steward.
“Take those things you know and impart them to the many young, fine officers and I know that if you do so, the Jackson Police Department will continue to realize success,” the chief said.
