JACKSON – The township’s first female police chief is ending her time in that role after eight months. Council President Mordechai Burnstein confirmed with Jersey Shore Online that Mary Nelson will be stepping down as early as November 1.
Nelson, 48, has provided no specific reasons for her retirement. According to an article in the Asbury Park Press, she hinted it may be health-related. She was sworn in as provisional chief with much fanfare on February 10 during a ceremony at the township’s middle school auditorium that also included new hires, promotions and personnel reassignments.
She started her law enforcement career with the Ocean Township (Waretown) Police Department in 2001 and served as a dispatcher for a year and a half before attending the Burlington County Police Academy in early 2003. She was hired by the Jackson Police Department in August 2004.
Nelson served as a patrol officer and field training officer before being promoted to sergeant in 2011 and assigned to supervise a patrol squad. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2018 and assigned to supervise a patrol platoon.
She rose to the rank of captain in June 2022, receiving her rank bars during a township council meeting. She holds the distinction of being the department’s first female lieutenant and captain. She earned a master’s degree in administrative science through Fairleigh Dickinson University and attended the Certified Public Manager course through Rutgers University. She has also earned numerous other certifications throughout her career.
Nelson coordinated the annual August National Night Out events for several years, served as administrative coordinator for the Police Explorer Program and assisted in coordinating the Police and Fire Christmas Toy Drive.
She took command from retired Police Chief Matthew Kunz, whose last day was January 31. During her promotion to captain, Kunz noted that Nelson had served as an instructor for the department and at the Ocean County Police Academy.
Kunz retired after leading the department for 17 years as part of a settlement agreement between himself and the township. The litigation largely concerned the hiring of a public safety director, including how the hiring was handled, who was selected and the overlap between the chief’s duties and those of the public safety director.
His departure included an agreement settling litigation he filed toward the end of 2024. The settlement provided him with back pay and compensation for years of raises he did not receive, even as many of his subordinates received annual increases.
During his tenure as chief, the township police department’s roster grew from 60 officers to 110. School resource officers returned, and more detectives were added to the force. A special enforcement unit was also created to focus on drug enforcement and serious crimes. Currently, the police roster includes 120 sworn full-time officers, with a goal of reaching 130.
Nelson has been using vacation time for the last few weeks, and acting chief duties have been handled by Captain George Vidalis, a township resident who has been with the department since 2003. Vidalis is a leading contender to serve as Nelson’s interim or possibly permanent replacement.
