Crime & Safety
New Officers Have Watchung Police Fully Staffed
Three probationary patrolmen sworn in, bring department's total to 30.
For the first time in recent years, the Watchung Police Department is at full staff.
Three new probationary patrolmen were sworn into their jobs at Thursday’s Borough Council meeting. They bring the number of Watchung police officers up to 30.
The news officers—Ryan Dunne, Andrew Pero and Robert Hofmann—will each be paid $56,829 a year. They started on the force on Jan. 18.
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Dunne, most recently a full-time special police officer in Seaside Heights, is a graduate of Kean University and the Ocean County Police Academy. He lives in Island Heights, but is looking to relocate closer to Watchung.
Pero, a special officer in Lavalette, is also a graduate of the Ocean County Police Academy. He is a veteran of the Coast Guard.
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Hofmann, a special officer in Carteret, is a veteran of the Air Force and belongs to the Air Force Reserve. He is a Branchburg resident.
Mayor Gerald Mobus was pleased the three men, joined by their families and friends, became members of the police department.
“This is one of the brightest spots of this job,” he said.
