BAY HEAD — Bay Head promoted several members of the police department at the reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, including the new police chief.
Four members of the police department were promoted and took their oaths of office at last Thursday’s meeting: Robert Sherman to captain, Sean Vaughn to sergeant, Thomas Sellers to patrolman and John LaSpina to police chief.
Chief LaSpina took over from former Chief William Hoffman, who retired at the end of last year. The members of the department, surrounded by their families, took their oaths, which was all met with applause from the packed court room.
After he was sworn in, Chief LaSpina gave a speech to the members of the police department and the community, thanking Mayor Bill Curits, Borough Administrator Frank Pannucci, Police Liaison and Council President Dennis Shaning and the rest of the borough council for allowing him the opportunity to be the chief of Bay Head.
“I am deeply humbled and extremely honored to have been chosen to lead the Bay Head Police Department as its next chief,” said Chief LaSpina. “I would be remiss not to mention what an honor it has been to serve alongside Chief William Hoffman for the last 27 years.”
He thanked the former chief, who was in the audience, for being an amazing co-worker, police officer and lifelong friend since grammar school. Chief LaSpina further said, “I will forever be grateful to you for your support and confidence in me and my abilities throughout my career, which has significantly impacted my professional development. Thank you, Chief Hoffman.”
“To my officers, policing and the requirements of the job have changed tremendously in my career,” Chief LaSpina said to his fellow officers. “I commit myself to ensure that you are properly trained, equipped, supervised and supported to do that job. I am a believer of delegation and accountability, as well as a lead by example approach to management.”
He said, in return, he expects the officers of the Bay Head Police Department to bring integrity, courage, commitment, compassion, restraint, and respect for the department, themselves and each other.
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