JACKSON – Recent months have seen a new township clerk, new deputy clerks, two new councilmen, a new business administrator, a new chief financial officer, and a new mayor and soon a new police chief.
Chief Matthew Kunz who has served in that role for 17 years will retire in January with a “six figure” settlement concluding a lengthy public dispute with members of the governing body.
Kunz’s retirement comes as part of an agreement announced during the latest Township Council meeting settling litigation he filed toward the end of 2024 that will also provide him some back pay.
While no details were presented the council approved a resolution that authorized the mayor and legal counsel to sign a settlement agreement that was negotiated and approved by the parties involved that will lead to Kunz’s retirement as chief.
Kunz will receive payment that will reimburse him for years of raises he didn’t receive despite many subordinates who did receive yearly increases.
Since Kunz took over as chief the township police department roster increased from 60 officers to 110. School resource officers returned and more detectives were added to the force. A special enforcement unit was also formed that focused on drug enforcement ad serious crimes.
He also brought back the department’s canine and motorcycle units and also added S.W.A.T. and drone units.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn, now serving as mayor after her appointment this autumn, has been critical of Kunz during public council meetings calling his leadership lacking and that proper equipment was not ordered in a timely manner for the officers of the department. Kunz filed an employee complaint against Kuhn for her public comments.
The chief received a No Confidence vote in 2024 from the Jackson Superior Officers Association (SOA) and the Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), stating that both groups did not approve of his leadership.
At one point, Kunz’ leadership was undercut when the position of public safety director was restored and Joseph Candido was installed a short time later. This led to questions as to who is in charge of the police – Chief Kunz or Director Candido.
Kunz received a one-day suspension after he was accused of delaying taking action on a disciplinary matter concerning another officer. He was also served with a notice of discipline in December of 2024 after taking too long to renew a license for another member of the department.
Kunz argued successfully in the lawsuit that the Ocean Couty Prosecutor’s Office or the State Attorney General’s Office had the jurisdiction in handling the investigations concerning him and not the Public Safety Director.
While not ruling against the public safety director position itself, the judge did rule that Candido had to leave the position and the position remains vacant at the current time. A request for proposals for replacements was issued. Several applicants applied but none were hired.
The $200,000 salaried position is on hold according to Mayor Kuhn. She noted that a new chief will be hired to replace Kunz after he retires.
An officer in charge or interim chief is expected to be named in February as it may take several months to interview and hire a new chief. Kuhn indicated that a new public safety director would not be hired as members of the department only wanted the spot to assist them because of their difficulties with Kunz.
