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Lacey Township swears in three new officers and promotes three supervisors
Summary
The Lacey Township Committee approved appointments and promotions in the police department on Feb. 13, swearing in three new full-time officers and elevating three existing officers to sergeant and lieutenant ranks.
The Lacey Township Committee on Feb. 13 approved the hiring of three full‑time police officers and promoted three current officers, actions the committee and police chief described as steps to rebuild staffing after a multiyear recruitment push.
The committee adopted Resolution 2025‑82 appointing Cassidy L. Mai, Jack R. McKee and Justin M. Brown as full‑time police officers for the Lacey Township Police Department. The new officers were sworn in at the meeting: Cassidy L. Mai repeated the oath of office and signed the oath; Jack R. McKee and Justin M. Brown likewise took the oath and were congratulated on stage.
Why it matters: Officials said the hires increase the department’s staffing after a deliberate recruitment and promotion effort. Chief Kite and other department leaders described community programs—bike rodeos, an annual “cop card” program and Meet the Officer events—that the department expects to expand as staffing allows.
Details and supporting remarks: Chief Kite (identified in the meeting as the department chief) introduced the new hires and described each candidate’s background. He said Cassie Mai, hired to the department in August 2024 as a dispatcher, was on the civil service list and became a top candidate for the police hiring list; he noted she is 24 and a Lacey Township High School graduate. He introduced Jack R. McKee as a 22‑year‑old local graduate who rose through class‑1 work in Beach Haven and finished in the top ranks of the civil service test. Justin M. Brown, 31, previously served with the Camden County Police Department and graduated the Camden County academy in 2020.
The committee also approved promotions in separate resolutions and swore in promoted officers at the same meeting. Resolution 2025‑803 (as read at the meeting) promoted Anthony R. Sarno to police sergeant; Resolution 2025‑84 promoted Daryl P. Nick to police lieutenant. Each promoted officer took the oath of office and family members joined them on stage. Committee members and the chief cited training roles, SWAT and specialty assignments, field training officer experience and leadership education when introducing the promoted officers.
What officials said: Committee members repeatedly framed the staffing changes as the product of a multiyear effort to restore and expand department capacity. Deputy Mayor Kenneth said the renewed focus on police resources is “bearing fruit.” Committeeman McDonald and others said the hires and promotions were earned through testing, training and the civil service process.
Procedure and vote: The appointment and promotion resolutions were moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by roll call. Roll‑call responses recorded in the transcript show the committee voting in favor (Mister McDonald; Mister Kenneth; Missus Giuliano; Mister LeRae; Mayor Curitolo). The transcript records the formal oath‑taking for each new or promoted officer.
Next steps and context: Officials repeatedly emphasized community outreach programs that the department plans to expand as staffing stabilizes. The chief and committee members said additional hires remain in the pipeline and that the department will continue training and staffing efforts.
