FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Six men have been hired by Freehold Township and have joined the ranks of the Freehold Township Police Department.
During a Township Committee meeting on Aug. 18, the oath of office was administered to police officers Alex Earhart, Jake McTighe, Thomas Monahan, Zachery Pittius, Louis Toscani and Tyler Whelan.
The appointment of the new patrol officers follows the continuing retirement of veteran officers from the Freehold Township police force.
The retirements from the police department began in earnest in 2014 when officers who had joined the force between 25 and 30 years earlier (1984-89) began to leave.
At that time, members of the Township Committee said they were beginning to plan and budget for the hiring of new recruits.
Police Chief George Baumann said one officer has already retired in 2020 and three more officers are scheduled to retire by the end of the year.
Municipal officials declined to name the officer who has already retired or the three officers who are planning to retire by the end of the year.
According to the 2020 municipal budget, Freehold Township is budgeted for 76 police officers, including superior officers (sergeants, lieutenants, captains, chief). The officers’ salaries and wages account for about $12.9 million (30.5%) of the $42.7 million budget.
