Captain Michael Mooney (pictured 2nd left), the one remaining Captain on the Lakewood Police Department will be retiring, Police Chief Rob Lawson confirmed to TLS. The move comes on the heels of the retirement of several other high ranking officials who have retired due to the Governor’s Pension Reform, which threatens the hard earned pensions of the Police across the State.
“It’s a tremendous tremendous loss for the department”, says Police Chief Rob Lawson. “He was a superb Supervisor and will be sorely missed”, he says. “It’s no exaggeration when I say he will be missed, personally and professionally”, the Chief said. “He did a fantastic job for the agency”.
Captain Mooney, 53, has been promoted to Sergeant 23 years into his job, and to Captain, about two years ago.
At last year’s Night Out Against Crime (pictured above), Captain Mooney – flanked by the Chief and other officials – was honored with an award by the LCSW for all his years of dedication to the Orthodox community.
“We appreciate all his devotion to our organization and to the community in general”, says LCSW Captain Dov Kesserman. “We will surely miss him and wish him good luck”.
Just in the last few weeks, the department has lost some of its highest ranking commanders, including Detective Lietenant William Addison, (See photos and video here), Detective Sergeant William Rodriguez and Captain Greg Miick.
And the Chief realizes that, and has since approached the Committee to hire more officers, as well as make much needed promotions to keep the para-military style department running smoothly.
“It’s needed”, the Chief says, adding that there are currently some officials doing multiple jobs since others have retired.
There’s only one rank lower than the Chief’s that hasn’t seen any retirements since Christie began the pension fiasco, but that may change in the coming weeks.
Sources tell TLS that Deputy Chief Charles (Chuck) Smith – who shares the rank with Deputy Chief Fred Capper – has filed for retirement as well. Those papers however, can be still be withdrawn prior to his official retirement date.
Captain Mooney will be retiring next month.
These dedicated high ranking officers really had no choice with the fact that it would have been financiall suicide to stay on the force ,so sad for this town if we ever needed expeienced leadership in the LPD its needed more now than ever . I’m sure for some it was a difficult decission ,bottom line you can’t throw out years of hard earned money no matter how dedicated you are. Wish all of them well in retirement.
Can they rejoin the force after they officially retire and still get their pension?
Captain Mooney will be sorely missed, he’s a true friend of the community and a very kind hearted person. Good Luck!
We will miss you 211!
The committee should stop dragging their feet and promote. They should have learned their lesson last time they waited so they could “peek” at the promotional list. There are deserving candidates on current lists. Don’t make the same mistake twice.
Does PCS know about all the vacancies at the Police Dept?
LPD and the lakewood commumity is in deep trouble!!!
brain drain in any bus. or org. is dangerous for stability.
Hey Committee how do you spell LIABILITY???? Try it like this……………………….LAWSUIT , Lawsuit, Law$uit….
How could the chief and township committee allow this to happen. I know these retirements were unexpected but these supervisors gave notice a long time ago. The police dept is a business and needs to have a plan in place. How well are we really being protected if the men who will fill these vacancies don’t get properly trained. (moderated)
It amazes me how we are gaurunteed the freedom of speech, religion and the press yet TLS is constently moderating posts. What are you afraid of? The truth?
LPD and the Twp. Committee have nothing to do with all of these retirements, the blame needs to be placed onto the Governor and the State.
hire—-not higher