MONROE – Police Captain Michael J. Biennas, a 32-year veteran of the Monroe Township Police Department, will take over the reigns as chief, replacing outgoing Chief Michael Lloyd, who will retire effective June 30.
“I am honored to accept this appointment and I will strive to build upon the success of the dedicated individuals who have come before me as we protect and serve the people of our community,” Biennas said. “As a Monroe resident and an active member of the community, I am committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all of our township residents.”
Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro announced Biennas’ appointment, who will begin on July 1, in a release on June 10.
“Michael Biennas has dutifully served Monroe Township in roles of increasing responsibility since joining the Monroe Township Police Department as a patrolman in 1987,” Mayor Tamburro said. “He has proven himself throughout his 32 years on our police force and has been promoted through the ranks based on solid performance and strong command decisions. I am confident that the Monroe Township Police Department and our community as a whole are in good hands with Chief Biennas at the helm.”
Biennas was sworn in as a patrolman on Dec. 30, 1987, and is a graduate of the Sea Girt State Police Training 188th municipal class. He was promoted to sergeant in July 1999 and lieutenant in December 2014 before his promotion to captain in July 2017.
In 2005, the Township Council awarded Biennas, a sergeant at the time, a meritorious service award for his efforts to save a 78-year-old East Windsor woman from serious injury on Sept. 30, 2004, after she was dragged 84 feet by her moving car at the site of an accident on Applegarth Road, according to previous reports.
The Monroe Township Police Department comprises 61 sworn officers. The department consists of a detective bureau, a juvenile/youth services bureau, a domestic violence unit, a traffic safety bureau and has an officer assigned to senior citizen crime prevention.
“Monroe Township places the safety of all of our residents, businesses and visitors as a top priority and we credit the Monroe Township Police Department for our rankings as the third safest city in New Jersey and for the lowest crime rate in Middlesex County,” reported Mayor Tamburro. “We are extremely grateful to Chief Lloyd for his years of service and we will continue the department’s professionalism and success under the leadership of our incoming police chief.”
The Township Council is expected to honor Police Chief Michael Lloyd at a meeting on June 24.
