TOMS RIVER – Police Chief Guy Maire will retire January 1 after more than three decades with the Toms River Police Department. Although Maire declined a more extensive interview at this time, he confirmed his retirement plans and described his tenure with the department as “great.”
Maire’s departure will require the township to once again decide who will lead its police force. He was promoted to captain in September 2024 and sworn in as chief on July 30, 2025, after serving as officer in charge during the absence of then-Chief Peter Sundack.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick said Maire’s promotion to captain early in the mayor’s tenure marked the beginning of a close working relationship focused on public safety and department operations. The mayor said the chief’s knowledge of the township and longstanding ties to the community made him a valuable member of the command staff.
“He lives in this community, he knows this community, and he has spent his career working to make it a safer place,” Rodrick said. “I am personally grateful for his service, his leadership, and the tremendous contributions he has made to our police department.”
Rodrick cited Maire’s work with the administration on the homeless encampment issue that he said confronted the township when he took office. The mayor said more than 30 people had been camping in wooded areas and that addressing the problem required both enforcement and assistance for those displaced.
“One of the first major challenges we tackled together was the homeless encampment situation that I inherited when I took office, where more than 30 people were camping in our woods,” Rodrick said. “Chief Maire worked closely with my administration to clear out the encampments, clean up the affected areas, and help connect displaced individuals with housing.”
The mayor also pointed to recent investments in personnel and equipment during Maire’s time in department leadership. Rodrick said the township hired 11 additional officers, bringing the patrol complement to 95, and plans to fill enough positions to reach 98 patrol officers.
“Together, we’ve made some of the most significant investments in our police department’s equipment and personnel in years,” Rodrick said. “We’ve equipped our officers with new firearms and red-dot optics, purchased 27 state-of-the-art Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles, and hired 11 additional police officers.”
A Department With A Changing Command Structure
Maire’s retirement follows a series of leadership changes dating back to the retirement of Michael Mastronardy, who served as chief from 1992 through 2013 before becoming Ocean County sheriff. Mitchell “Mitch” Little succeeded Mastronardy as chief in 2014 and retired on August 23, 2024.
Sundack was confirmed as chief in September 2024 after Little’s retirement but went on leave shortly afterward. Maire, then a captain, served as officer in charge before being sworn in as chief in July 2025.
Rodrick said the department currently has no officer who meets the two years of service as captain required for a permanent appointment as chief. The township will spend the coming months considering promotions and deciding who should serve as officer in charge or acting chief after Maire’s final day.
“We have a talented group of officers within the Toms River Police Department, and we intend to give them a fair opportunity to advance,” Rodrick said. “We will interview our lieutenants for promotion to captain, and we will also interview eligible sergeants for promotion to lieutenant.”
“Over the next three months, we will evaluate the candidates, make the appropriate promotions, and determine who will serve as officer in charge or acting chief following Chief Maire’s retirement on January 1,” Rodrick said. “Our goal is to provide continuity, maintain strong police leadership, and develop the next generation of command officers.”
Rodrick said the township would not rush a decision that will shape the department’s leadership for years. He said the planned promotions will provide an opportunity to rebuild its command staff from within.
“We are not going to rush such an important decision,” Rodrick said. “We have an opportunity to build a strong leadership team that will serve Toms River for years to come.”
Retirement Benefits Cited
The mayor also discussed the financial considerations surrounding Maire’s retirement. Rodrick said Maire has reached the maximum pension service credit available to him and would receive a retirement benefit equal to about 70 percent of his pensionable salary.
Rodrick said Maire’s current annual compensation, including longevity pay, is approximately $289,000. He also said Maire has reached the maximum salary permitted under township ordinance before longevity pay is added, and that continuing to work would not increase his pension percentage.
“After 35 years of service, Chief Maire has earned a retirement benefit equal to approximately 70 percent of his pensionable salary,” Rodrick said. “At this stage of his career, additional service would not increase his pension percentage. Retirement is an understandable decision after such a long and distinguished career.”
Rodrick said many officers can retire after 25 years with benefits calculated at about 60 percent of their pensionable salaries, depending on their eligibility and pension tier. He said health benefits for eligible retirees are another consideration for officers deciding when to leave.
“Under the applicable pension provisions, many officers can retire after 25 years with benefits calculated at approximately 60 percent of their pensionable salaries,” Rodrick said. “When you also consider retirement health benefits for eligible officers, it is understandable why so many choose to begin the next chapter of their lives.”
