OLD BRIDGE – Promotions are “well deserved” for two veteran police officers.
Officer Michael Snee was officially sworn in as a lieutenant and Officer Frank Contrera was sworn in as a sergeant during a ceremony before the Old Bridge Township Council on Feb. 11.
Snee and Contrera were promoted to their respective ranks in an acting role on Feb. 1.
Mayor Owen Henry said it is always an honor as mayor to hire police officers, but more importantly to take existing officers and promote them to the next step in their careers.
“I, along with [Police Chief William Volkert], are promoting two outstanding officers within the Old Bridge Police Department,” he said. “These officers have dedicated their careers to public safety of our residents and our community. Their commitment and dedication to public safety is a tribute to their profession.”
Snee began his career with the Old Bridge Police Department in August 1996. He earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Brookdale Community College and attended the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt. Prior to coming to Old Bridge, Snee served as a sheriff’s officer with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.
He was promoted to sergeant in June 2011. He transferred from the patrol bureau to the detective bureau where he served as a narcotics detective for four years. In addition, he served as a field training officer, domestic violence liaison and domestic violence instructor for the department.
In cooperation with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Snee served as an investigator with the county on its narcotics force and he was also temporarily assigned as an investigator for the New Jersey State Police Street Gangs Unit. He served as an instructor for the attorney general’s gun facility and undercover narcotics officer unit.
Snee has also been an active member of the department’s motor officer’s unit since 2011.
Contrera began his career with the Old Bridge Police Department in January 2001.
The National Association of Chiefs of Police has certified him as a drug recognition expert for the past four years. He is also certified as a medical dispatcher as well as a traffic radar operator. In addition, for eight years, Contrera has served as a field training officer guiding and instructing officers who are new members of the department.
He has been recognized with an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAAD) for having made the most drunk driving arrests in a particular year.
“The township elementary students have benefited from his knowledge and instruction as a DARE lead officer,” Henry said, adding Contrera has served as a DARE instructor for 10 years.
Council President Mary Sohor congratulated the officers and said the promotions were “well deserved.”
