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5 Critical Facts You Need To Know About The Dover Township NJ Police Department (Now Toms River PD)

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The name "Dover Township NJ Police Department" is a historical reference, but the law enforcement agency it represents—the Toms River Police Department (TRPD)—is currently at the center of a major public safety debate. This department, which serves one of New Jersey’s largest municipalities, is grappling with a significant staffing shortage and a controversial overhaul of its hiring practices, making the news of late December 2025 particularly relevant for residents and law enforcement observers alike.

The transformation from Dover Township to Toms River Township in 2006 marked a new chapter for the community, yet the police department’s historical foundation remains a point of pride. Today, the focus has shifted from historical accolades to immediate operational challenges, including a high rate of officer retirements and the political friction surrounding the department’s leadership and recruitment strategies.

The Leader in Crisis: Chief Guy E. Maire’s Biography and Controversial Appointment

The Toms River Police Department is currently led by Chief Guy E. Maire, a veteran officer whose appointment came amid significant local political tension. His career is a testament to long-term service within the Toms River community, having spent more than three decades rising through the ranks of the department.

  • Current Role: Chief of Police, Toms River Police Department.
  • Career Start: Began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Toms River over thirty years ago.
  • Previous Rank: Prior to his confirmation as Chief, Maire served as a Captain within the department.
  • Appointment Context: Chief Maire was sworn into his position after a period of significant leadership turnover, with the previous chief and both captains having retired.
  • Controversial Timing: His confirmation by the Toms River Township Council was a notable event, occurring just after the council approved new police hiring guidelines that drew sharp criticism from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
  • Leadership Focus: His tenure is defined by navigating the current staffing crisis and implementing strategies to rebuild the force while facing scrutiny over the new hiring protocols introduced by Mayor Dan Rodrick's administration.

Chief Maire’s deep understanding of the township's operational challenges, honed over decades of service, positions him as a crucial figure in the ongoing efforts to stabilize and strengthen the department’s capacity during this critical period.

Fact 1: The Historical Legacy of Dover Township Police

Before the name change, the Dover Township Police Department was recognized as one of the elite law enforcement agencies in New Jersey. The township itself, which became Toms River, is the largest municipality in Ocean County.

The department’s history dates back decades, growing exponentially with the population boom of the Jersey Shore region. In 1961, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notably rated the Dover Township Police Department as the second-best police department in the entire state of New Jersey.

This early reputation for excellence set a high standard for the Toms River Police Department (TRPD) that continues to influence its operational goals today. The TRPD maintains this legacy through its commitment to community policing and maintaining a large, complex operational structure to serve the vast geographical area.

The department's structure is organized into three main entities: the Office of the Chief, the Operations Bureau, and the Administrative Bureau. The Operations Bureau, which includes the highly visible Patrol Division, forms the backbone of the agency, ensuring 24/7 coverage for the township’s residents.

Fact 2: The Current Toms River Police Staffing Crisis

One of the most pressing issues facing the TRPD in late 2025 is a severe staffing shortage. The department has seen a significant exodus of experienced officers, leading to a force size that has not been this low in over two decades.

The numbers paint a stark picture:

  • 21-Year Low: As of June 1, 2025, the Toms River Police Department had only 151 full-time sworn police officers.
  • Retirement Wave: A total of 12 officers retired between January 2024 and June 2025, with three additional retirements occurring shortly thereafter.
  • Operational Strain: This low staffing level puts immense pressure on the remaining officers and the Operations Bureau, particularly the Patrol Division, which is the most visible and active component of the force.

This crisis has prompted the municipal government to take drastic measures to accelerate recruitment, which has, in turn, fueled the controversy surrounding the department's hiring standards.

Fact 3: The Controversial Overhaul of Police Hiring Rules

In response to the staffing crisis, the Toms River Township Council, under the direction of Mayor Dan Rodrick, approved new hiring guidelines that have generated significant public and official disagreement.

The core of the controversy involves eliminating the college credit requirement for new police officers if the candidates are either military veterans or have previous law enforcement experience.

  • The Goal: The administration argues that these new rules are necessary to "lure police officers" back to the department and fill the numerous vacancies quickly.
  • The Criticism: The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office publicly criticized the move, deeming the changing of the hiring guidelines a "serious risk" to the quality and professionalism of the force.
  • The Vote: The new rules were passed by the council, allowing the department to prioritize experience and military service over academic requirements for a subset of its recruits.

This policy shift represents a major change in the department's recruitment philosophy, moving away from a traditional emphasis on higher education to prioritize practical experience and military discipline.

Fact 4: Specialized Units and Community Engagement

Despite the current challenges, the Toms River Police Department maintains a robust structure of specialized units and actively engages with the community, reflecting its long history of service to Ocean County.

The Special Operations Division, part of the Operations Bureau, manages several key units, including traffic safety, K-9 units, and specialized response teams. These units are crucial for addressing the unique needs of a large, coastal community.

Key departmental entities and initiatives include:

  • Patrol Division: The primary responder and most visible element, operating 24 hours a day.
  • Special Operations Division: Oversees specialized units like Traffic Safety, which is vital for managing the seasonal influx of visitors to the Jersey Shore.
  • Community Programs: The TRPD actively promotes community outreach, including events like the annual VEST-A-COP initiative, which raises funds for officer safety equipment.

These specialized forces and community programs underscore the department’s commitment to proactive policing and maintaining strong ties with Toms River residents.

Fact 5: Major Incidents and Accountability

Like any large municipal police force, the Toms River Police Department has faced scrutiny and been involved in high-profile incidents that test its commitment to accountability. Transparency in these matters is a key aspect of modern law enforcement.

A notable recent case involved a grand jury’s review of the death of a Toms River man. The grand jury ultimately cleared several Toms River Police Officers—including Anthony Pacella, Krzysztof Kowalczyk, and Sgt. Paul Rutledge—of criminal conduct in the incident. Such reviews by the Ocean County legal system are standard practice in cases involving police-related deaths.

Furthermore, the department and the township government have been involved in other public safety-related news, such as the criminal charges filed against a former Toms River fire official in a sexual misconduct case. These incidents, while not always directly involving the police, demonstrate the complex web of public safety and legal matters that the TRPD must navigate within Ocean County.

The TRPD's ongoing efforts to recruit new officers, manage its budget, and maintain public trust, all while operating under the historical weight of the former Dover Township Police Department's reputation, continue to make it a central topic in New Jersey’s law enforcement landscape.

dover township nj police
dover township nj police

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