WARETOWN – Township of Ocean Police Chief Michal Rogalski presented awards to four individuals at the Township Committee’s recent meeting, recognizing their outstanding performance and service to the community.
The local law enforcement agency’s complement is made up of 21 members, many who came to support officers and the one civilian recognized for their work.
“We’ve done something a little different this year,” shared Rogalski. “Usually, we try to hand out awards at our township meetings – but we had some lifesaving awards.”
“We decided to do them at our department meeting in a private setting,” Rogalski continued. “Some of the awards that we handed out were personal in nature and we didn’t want to disclose some of the individuals that were affected initially, and saved by us so we want to keep those situations private.”
The awards made public included the Civilian of the Year, Patrolman of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and the prestigious Chief’s Award.
Rogalski shed light on the selection process, emphasizing the involvement of the department’s personnel in choosing the recipients. The Civilian of the Year is selected by patrol officers and supervisors from the list of civilian employees within the department. The Patrolman of the Year award is decided by supervisors, and the selection for the Supervisor of the Year comes from civilian staff and officers.
“I have no say whatsoever unless there’s a tie,” said Rogalski. “Since 2012, there’s never been a tie, and I never had to break a tie.”
The Chief’s Award is an esteemed honor, not bestowed annually, but reserved for exceptional recognition. When conferred, it signifies the singular choice of an officer handpicked by Chief Rogalski for their outstanding contributions.
Public Safety Telecommunicator Hunter Hawk was presented with the Civilian of the Year award. His commendable performance and dedication were highlighted through glowing testimonials from colleagues. Hunter’s exceptional skills in providing accurate and timely information to officers, coupled with his unwavering commitment to duty, earned him this prestigious accolade.
“Not only is Hunter a solid and reliable dispatcher,” Rogalski read. “He has participated in extra details and matured as a person and in his work ethic as well.
Patrolman Dominic Van de Brook was awarded Officer of the Year. Supervisors lauded his work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. “Along with his peers, he handles calls for service in a professional manner,” a supervisor noted. “His reports are always excellent and need little to no correction. The stats speak for themselves.”
Van de Brook was praised as number one in issuing summonses, number two in traffic stops, tops in DWI arrests and number one in overall arrests.
“Since joining the department, Dom has done nothing short of striving to be the best police officer, and do what’s best for the agency,” shared Rogalski. “No matter what the task is presented to him he will go above and beyond to make sure that it’s completed 100%.”
Sgt. Michael Matelski was honored with the Supervisor of the Year award for his exemplary leadership and unwavering support for his team. Matelski’s dedication to fostering a positive work environment and his commitment to the professional growth of his officers earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.
Matelski was awarded the William Sneddon Supervisor of the Year award in 2022 and received recognition by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving for DWI enforcement efforts in 2016 and 2019. He was also the department’s first drug recognition expert.
Colleagues described Matelski as a motivating leader who is fair, honest, and dedicated to the improvement of the department. His positive attitude, leadership skills, and genuine care for the officers under his command were widely recognized.
“Sgt. Matelski is a great leader that allows officers to do their jobs without micromanaging,” Rogalski read. “He actively engages in investigations with officers on the road and is always available when needed. He goes out of his way to make sure officers are educated in case law.”
Rogalski announced his selection of Patrolman Ryan North as the recipient of the Chief’s Award. Although he was not present to receive the award in person from the Ocean County Traffic Safety Officers Association, North was also honored with the 2023 Kimberly Smith Ames DWI Prevention Award.
“Patrolman North was recognized for his hard work, dedication and outstanding efforts in combatting driving offenses in Ocean County,” said Rogalski.
The chief commended North’s journey, highlighting his transition from a newcomer to a standout officer within the agency. Reflecting on North’s remarkable progress, the chief expressed admiration for his dedication and performance.
“It’s truly remarkable to see how far he’s come in just two years,” Rogalski remarked. “Despite his limited experience and the absence of HDN training last year, North accounted for an impressive 35% of the total impaired driving arrests in our department, totaling 18 out of 52. These numbers speak volumes about his commitment and effectiveness as an officer.”
The township committee also paid tribute to retired K-9 Officer Kaver, whose final calling came on January 27, 2024. Kaver, a Belgian Malinois patrol dog, began his tenure with the Ocean Township Police Department in 2011 at the tender age of eleven months and retired in 2021.
Known for his intelligence and agility, Kaver left behind a lasting legacy of law enforcement excellence within the Ocean Township Police Department.
