JACKSON – This is a big year for the township’s police department. The agency is observing its 75th anniversary and for the first time in its history, its total police complement will exceed over 100.
During a recent Jackson Council meeting Police Chief Matthew Kunz joined the governing body, members of the department and friends and family of the 10 newly hired officers.
The appointees include:
Jenna Waldron #324: She is a 2018 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and received an Associate’s Degree in criminal justice from Brookdale College. She previously worked as a corrections officer at the Ocean County Department of Corrections.
William Kozna #325: He is a 2006 graduate of Middlesex Vocational High School and previously worked as a production supervisor at Nestle in Freehold.
John Mucia #326: He is a 2011 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in finance from St. John’s University in 2015. He previously worked as a sales representative for Flavvr LLC.
Preston Kunz #327: He is a 2019 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice at Ocean County College. He previously worked as a life guard in Seaside Heights and also at the Edge Restaurant in Jackson.
Travis Ceppaluni #328: He is a 2017 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and received an Associate’s Degree in science from Ocean County College in 2019. He previously worked as a corrections officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections and also as a Class II Special Police Officer with the Belmar Police Department.
Robert Kocsis #329: He is a 2013 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and served in the United States Marine Corps and also attended Ocean County College. He previously worked as a Class II Special Police Officer with the Island Heights Police Department.
Tyler Melnick #330: He is a 2016 graduate of Jackson Liberty High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice from Stockton University in 2019. He previously worked as a Class II Special Police Officer with the Asbury Park Police Department and most recently with the Jackson Police Department.
Travis Moore #331: He is a 2015 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and received an Associate’s Degree in criminal justice from East Stroudsburg University. He previously worked at STA Contracting in Colts Neck.
Joshua Gonzalez #332: He is a 2012 graduate of Jackson Liberty High School and attended Ocean County College. He previously worked as a corrections officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections.
Andrew Kalash #333: He is a 2012 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in biochemistry from Rowan University in 2016. He previously worked as a police officer with the Old Bridge Police Department.
The chief noted after Township Clerk Janice Kisty did a joint swearing in of the officers, that they would all be starting in service training with the department. Waldron, Kozna, Mucia, Kunz, Moore and Gonzalez will then be attending the Ocean County Police Academy in October. Upon graduation they will be assigned to a Field Training Officer and upon successful completion of the Field Training program, they will be assigned to patrol squads.
Ceppaluni, Kocsis and Melnick will be attending training at the Ocean County Police Academy in October to obtain their full police certifications and will then be assigned to Field Training Officers. Kalash will be starting training with an FTO upon completion of in-service training.
The chief thanked Mayor Michael Reina who was present during the meeting and the members of the Township Council and Administration for their continued support of the police department.
“As Jackson grows, we need to grow to serve the community,” Kunz said. He also noted that these recent appointments will bring the police staffing to 105 police officers.
He added that he and the members of the department wish the new officers the best in their careers with the agency.
Chief Kunz welcomed Major Borden Applegate, a retired Jackson police officer during the meeting. “His contributions to the growth of the department were many but one very important contribution and one I am particularly keen on is his tremendous work as a historian for the Jackson Police Department. His collection of memorabilia and collection of articles, photographs have led credit to the history of the department.”
The chief added, “this month (September 23) marked the 75th anniversary of the Jackson Township Police Department. In celebration of that we’ve put together display in the Jackson library meeting room with a lot of important artifacts from our past.”
Applegate helped Jackson Township with its 173rd anniversary back in 2017 when he was a presenter at the Jackson Library and discussed his book, “Jackson Mills: A Personal Reflection.”
His book provided readers a brief glimpse of life in Jackson Mills during the 1940s and 1950s. Jackson Mills is one of several villages that make up the township and is located in the northern portion of the township.
Applegate is a life-long Jackson resident who joined the department as a patrol officer in 1961. He retired in 1999 as Deputy Chief of Police with the rank of major. “Thank you major for preserving our history,” Kunz added.
