At the December 19, 2017 Township Committee meeting two police officers were promoted and a new officer was appointed.  As each Officer was sworn into his new position, Police Chief John Cook commented to the Township Committee and to the audience about each of the officers.

Sergeant Jon Rachel was promoted to Lieutenant with the Springfield Police Department.  Rachel graduated from the John H Stamler Police Academy and started his service with the Springfield Police Department in 2004 as a Patrol Officer.  In 2006 Jon was re-assigned as the department’s Traffic Officer, a position he has held for over a decade.  During the restructuring of the Department several years ago, Jon’s position as traffic officer was integrated into a new Special Services Unit, also working along with the Detective Bureau.

Throughout his career, Jon has contributed to numerous projects in many operational areas of the police department.  As the accreditation manager, he oversaw all phases of the accreditation process, ultimately resulting in the department attaining an accredited status and also successfully completing a re-accreditation this past summer.  Jon was promoted to sergeant in 2014 and returned to patrol as a supervisor.

In 2015, Jon was reassigned as the supervisor of the Special Services Unit and presently remains in that position.  Jon was joined by his wife and children (Casey and Noelle), his parents and his brother Jeremy who is a Police Officer in Florham Park.

Chief Cook remarked: “If you were here in 2014 for Jon's promotion to sergeant you might remember that his grandfather, a retired Captain from the Linden Fire Department, was present. He is now 101 years old and is unable to be here tonight but I am sure that he is as proud of Jon tonight as he was then.”

Officer Zieser who was promoted to Sergeant, grew up in Clark and graduated from Arthur L. Johnson High School.  He then attended Rowan University from where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice

He then attended the John H Stamler Police Academy and joined the Springfield Police Department in December of 2010 working in the patrol division.  Dan has been involved in obtaining grants for DUI enforcement as well as Safe Corridor funding.  He also initiated the department's participation in the Military surplus program (LESO) from which the town has obtained several pieces of equipment.   Dan has also been one of the department’s FTOs (Field Training Officers) since 2014 and has trained several officers during this time.  He was assigned to UCERT (Union County Emergency Response Team) in 2015-16.  Dan was joined by his wife Kelley, his parents, and other family and friends.

Springfield’s newest Officer, Officer Matt Nolan was appointed as well.  Matt grew up in Jackson Township and graduated from Jackson Memorial High.  At 21 Matt enlisted in the USMC where he was selected to work in the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, HMX-1, under President Obama.

During his active service Matt received his Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from Park University.  Matt recently graduated from the John H Stamler Police Academy from which he joined the Springfield Police Department.  He was joined by his wife, Amanda.

Photos:

Photo 1:  Lieutenant Rachel takes the oath of office which is administered by Mayor Diane Stampoulos while his children hold the bible.

Photo 2: Mayor Stampoulos, Lieutenant Rachel and Chief Cook

Photo 3:  Sergeant Zieser takes the oath of office which is administered by Mayor Diane Stampoulos while his wife Kelly holds the bible.

Photo 4: Mayor Stampoulos, Sergeant Zieser and Chief Cook

Photo 5:  Officer Nolan takes the oath of office which is administered by Mayor Diane Stampoulos while his wife Amanda holds the bible.

Photo 6:  Mayor Stampoulos, Officer Nolan and Chief Cook