TOMS RIVER – A huge crowd gathered outside the police station to thank Chief Mitch Little on his last day.
When officers leave their last shift, they have a walkout and a final sign-off and that’s what Little did, but he didn’t do it alone. A few other officers had also retired recently, and he called them up to take the walk with him. He also brought up his father, Bob, who retired from the agency decades ago.
He thanked the public who came out to support him – and the police department – over the years but this year in particular.
“This is for you,” he said, “this is for the supporters of this agency. When we were in trouble, you came to our aid.”
He thanked the 335 employees of the department.
“Every single person who worked here contributed to this agency,” he said. “Even though we’re going through this trying time, we will get through it.”
He noted former chief Rick Clement also faced political issues, noting that the important thing is to make sure people don’t get impacted by the politics.
“We survived, and we will survive again,” Little said. “We’re always one election away.”
They filed out over the Court of Honor, where former officers’ names are engraved on pavers.
He was greeted by many people clapping him on the shoulder, shaking his hand, and thanking him. Then, he had to call in on a CB radio “10-7,” which means “signing off.”
“I love you all,” he said to the crowd, CB in hand. “This is tough.”
He signed off and then took time with well-wishers.
Former Mayor Maurice Hill said “he has been a wonderful chief of police. He integrated everyone in the community.
“I would have liked to see him stay,” he said. “He had a good fight but it’s time to retire.”
Booky Kaluszyner said on behalf of the Toms River Jewish Community Center, “We’re here to celebrate an amazing career, years of friendship, and everything he’s done for the community.”
Little told The Toms River Times that now he is free to spend time with hobbies, such as fixing up classic Mustangs, and spend time with family.
“I’m still a professor at Georgian Court University” teaching criminal justice classes, so he’ll still be busy.
His son just started as an officer for Seaside Park, which makes three generations in law enforcement.
In a letter to the department which was then leaked to the Jersey Coast Emergency News page on Facebook, Little said “After 39 years and 11 as Chief, I knew this time would eventually come when I have done everything I could for the agency and my presence would actually be a detriment and prevent any movement with hires, promotions and even equipment.” He said his retirement was made “in the hopes promotions will be made, new officers hired and you can get what you need to move forward.”
Little and Mayor Daniel Rodrick disagreed on a few issues starting in January with the start of the new mayor’s term. The most public one involved personnel.
Two captains retired this year. Instead of refilling these positions by promoting from within, Mayor Rodrick chose to cut those two positions, in a move he said would save the town $700,000. He wanted to use that money to hire EMS members.
“We appreciate and thank him for 39 years of service to the town,” Rodrick said.
The mayor disputed the chief’s statement that promotions were a reason for his departure.
“We were always willing to do promotions – except for the two captains,” Rodrick said. “His departure was to avoid discipline which we can not discuss.”
