Franklin Township swears in new officers and promotes supervisors

Franklin Township on Feb. 25 held a swearing-in for newly hired police officers and a series of promotions for sergeants, lieutenants and captains during the council meeting at the Municipal Building.

The township's public safety director, Bella Mayweather, told the council she has hired 49 officers during her five years in the role and that many supervisory ranks have been filled by promotion. "In the 5 years that I've been here, I've hired 49 officers," Mayweather said. "Also, amazingly, 27 of our 31 supervisors have been promoted during my tenure."

Mayweather administered the oath to new officers and to promoted supervisors. Newly sworn officers listed at the meeting included Matthew George, Deshaun Jones, Officer Patel, Officer Rodriguez, Officer Peterson, Officer Kasem (absent due to illness), and Officer Solomon. Named promoted supervisors included Sergeant Kevin Frizziola, Sergeant Manuel Rios and Sergeant Robert Young; Lieutenant Stacy Grant and Lieutenant Trevor Wilson; and Captains Brandon Domitore and Vincent Wilson. Captain Lloyd Fredericks was noted as the township's newly appointed officer in charge; the department has no current chief, Mayweather said.

Mayor Philip Kramer and several council members offered public commendations to the department. Kramer said he sleeps soundly because of the force and thanked officers for exercising restraint and professionalism when appropriate.

The swearing-in followed a brief series of commendations and a proclamation portion of the agenda. No formal vote was required to administer the oaths; the actions were ceremonial and administrative in nature.

The council registered the staffing announcements and the public safety director's remarks for the record and moved on to other agenda items.