Toms River council approves hiring change to credit veterans; appoints Guy Mayer as police chief amid public debate

Toms River Township Council voted to approve an ordinance that counts U.S. military service toward the college requirement for new hires and permits lateral transfers from other police departments, and separately confirmed Captain Guy Mayer as chief of police.

Supporters said the changes will broaden an applicant pool during a statewide recruiting shortage; opponents warned the measure could lower hiring standards and urged the council to pause and study the plan.

The mayor, Dan Roderick, explained the ordinance at the meeting and tied it to recruiting difficulties. “I completely disagree with the notion that this is somehow lowering standards,” he said, saying veterans’ service should count in place of two years of community college for applicants who will still be screened and sent to the police academy.

Public comment ran more than…