Manchester Township Police welcomed two new officers to their force this week, Patrolman Michael Gardner and Special Law Enforcement Officer II (SLEO II) and Kevin Rembach were sworn in by Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer during a ceremony in the Municipal Complex Civic Center on Monday while SLEO II Robert Campolei, who joined the department in September was hired as a full-time Patrolman.

Robert Campolei, a 32-year-old Lacey resident is a graduate of Ocean County College and began his law enforcement career in 2015 as a SLEO I with Seaside Heights Police.

Campolei's journey took a turn into the Ocean County Police Academy before he worked as a SLEO II for Seaside Heights and later Lacey Township.

During this weeks swearing in ceremony, Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said that Campolei performed exemplary during his Field Training and Evaluation Program as a SLEO II.

Michael Gardner, a 23-year-old resident of Toms River and a graduate of Toms River High School North.

Gardner went on to receive his Criminal Justice degree from Stockton University and then worked for the Seaside Heights Police Department.

He graduated eighth in his class from the Ocean County Police Academy in May of 2018.

Kevin Rembach, 27-years old and a lifelong resident of Manchester Township, is also an Eagle Scout who attended Ocean County College, Richard Stockton University and is currently completing his degree in Public Administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Rembach previously worked for the Seaside Park Police Department and graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in May of 2016.

The swearing in ceremony was led by Chief Parker, who explained that the intensive Manchester Township Police Department hiring process began in January of 2018, when approximately 170 individuals submitted their applications for employment.

Those applicants needed to pass multiple tests in order to pass including the physical agility examination which consisted of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts and a 1 mile run.

There were only 92 of the 170 applicants who achieved a passing score and completed all portions of the physical exam and were invited to participate in the Written Examination phase.

The top scorers went before the Oral Board for extensive interviews and the candidates considered for employment underwent a thorough background investigation and submitted to medical, psychological and drug screenings.

These officers were hired in response to recent and anticipated retirements within the department.

“Only those individuals who are truly dedicated to excelling in the law enforcement profession and can meet the high standards of our pre-employment testing are considered to join the ranks of the Manchester Township Police Department,” said Chief Parker. “We’re proud that Ptl. Campolei, Ptl. Gardner, and SLEO II Rembach, all upstanding and driven individuals, will serve our community.”

Ptl. Gardner and SLEO II Rembach now will begin the Manchester Township Police Department’s intensive twelve week Field Training and Evaluation Program where they will be instructed and mentored by several highly trained and seasoned officers.

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