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Jackson swears in Mary Nelson as its first female police chief; council recognizes multiple promotions
Summary
Mary Nelson was sworn in as Jackson Township's first female police chief at the Feb. 10 council meeting; the council also recognized promotions across the police department and introduced steps to modernize equipment and communications.
Mary Nelson was sworn in as Jackson Township's provisional chief of police on Feb. 10, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the township's history. Mayor Keun administered the oath at a packed council meeting and presented the office as a historic step for the Jackson Police Department.
"It is my privilege to present over the swearing in of Mary Nelson, the first female police chief in history of Jackson Township," Mayor Keun said, praising Nelson's "promise, professionalism and unwavering commitment to keeping our residents safe." Council president Bernstein and other council members also praised Nelson's record and announced the council's support for department leadership and resources.
In remarks after the oath, Chief Nelson thanked the council, mayor and her family and said she was "truly humbled and honored to serve as your chief of police." She called public safety "a shared partnership and a shared responsibility" and said she would work with the council and administration to build departmental capacity and community partnerships.
The meeting also included a sequence of oaths recognizing internal promotions and new hires across the department. Officials swore in Lieutenant Richard Bosley, Lieutenant John Rodriguez, Sergeant Edward Travisano and multiple sergeants and officers. The council and attending public offered congratulations and family members participated in ceremonial badge pinning and photo sessions.
Council members highlighted that the promotions and hires are part of a broader effort to stabilize leadership after recent personnel changes and to invest in equipment and internal communications. Council president Bernstein noted the council had authorized purchases of patrol vehicles and a fiber/Motorola upgrade project to strengthen internal systems.
The swearing-in and recognition of promotions were followed by a short intermission before the council resumed the evening's legislative business.
