JACKSON – As the year 2023 ended, so did the long and award-filled career of Detective Lieutenant Wayne Olejarz who retired from the department.
Olejarz was surrounded by fellow members of the department, family and friends at police headquarters on the afternoon of December 29 to congratulate him with a ceremony on his retirement from the agency.
Lt. Olejarz was hired by the Jackson Police Department in August of 1997, and attended the Ocean County Police Academy where he was awarded the High Physical Fitness Award.
Upon his successful completion of the academy, he was assigned to the Patrol Division where he remained for fourteen years. During the course of his early career, he was a part of the Office of Emergency Management’s High Angle Rescue and HAZMAT teams.
He was promoted to the rank of sergeant where he served in that capacity on both the midnight and afternoon squad for ten years. During this time, he assumed an integral role in the management of vehicles.
In March of 2022, Olejarz was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he was then assigned to the Investigations Bureau where he assumed the assignment as a Detective supervisor. During the course of his tenure, he worked to restore the rotation of police officers through the division and also made improvements to the local ABC application process.
Through the course of his career, Olejarz achieved many notable accomplishments and achievements such as serving as a member of both the Ocean County Regional Swat Team, and the Jackson Police Department Special Response Team.
He was instrumental in overhauling and updating the department’s Field Training Officer program for the past seven years and assisted in writing several critical agency policies.
The officer graduated from the West Point FBI Defensive Tactics instructor course and served as the agency’s lead physical fitness instructor. His instruction was instrumental in the pre-employment physical fitness screening process.
Olejarz became the lead instructor for defensive tactics, PR24, straight baton as well as pepper spray. He also served as agency firearms instructor and was instrumental in the acquisition and training of new firearms for the Investigation Bureau.
He took a lead in reinstituting the department’s bicycle patrol program and received numerous awards and commendations, including Good Conduct Ribbons, the Life Saving Ribbon, several Unit Citations and the Combat Cross Award.
Olejarz also received recognition from the PBA, twice being named as their selection for Supervisor of the Year.
Members of the Jackson Police Department wished Olejarz and his family the best in his retirement.
