MIDDLETOWN – Deputy Chief R. Craig Weber, a lifelong township resident, has been unanimously selected by the Middletown Township Committee to serve as the township’s next police chief.
“Chief Weber is a well-rounded officer with an outstanding service record, strong ties to the community and impressive educational background,” Mayor Stephanie C. Murray said. “We are confident Middletown’s long-standing record as one the safest towns in the nation will continue for years to come with him at the helm.”
Weber replaces Police Chief Robert Oches, who retired after more than 40 years of service. Weber is the township’s eighth police chief since the department was formed in 1928.
The new chief took the oath of office Monday evening during the Middletown Township Committee meeting, said Township Administrator Anthony P. Mercantante, who also serves as the township’s public safety director.
Weber joined the Middletown Police Department on Dec.1, 1993. During his career with the department, he has held various assignments in the patrol division, traffic safety bureau and the detective bureau. In 2010, he was promoted to deputy chief and served as the commander of the technical services division, where he was responsible for the management and supervision of the detective bureau, records and service bureau, community relations bureau, communications and computer operations.
Weber has earned a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in public policy from Monmouth University, and a master’s in administrative science with graduate certificates in law and public safety administration and human resources administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also has attended many professional development courses including the F.B.I. National Academy.
Weber has received a number of awards and commendations during his career, and has been recognized as Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and Police Supervisor of the Year.
The lifelong Middletown resident was raised in Leonardo. He attended the Middletown public school system and the Marine Academy of Science and Technology High School (MAST). He currently resides in the Navesink section of Middletown with his wife and three children.
Weber replaces Police Chief Robert Oches, who retired after more than 40 years of service. Weber is the township’s eighth police chief since the department was formed in 1928.
