Old Bridge welcomes Volkert as new chief

Old Bridge Town Hall was packed to the brim Monday night as residents, family members, elected officials and fellow police officers welcomed the township’s newest chief of police.

Newly appointed Police Chief William Volkert was officially sworn in during the Township Council meeting, at which Mayor Jim Phillips praised the new department head.

“Having completed the necessary review, the choice I made was William Volkert, and I am confident he will make an outstanding chief,” Phillips said.

“The phrase ‘We stand on the shoulders of others’ is certainly true,” he continued. “I stand on the foundation of others in the township, just as Chief Volkert stands on the shoulders of others in the department. Everyone makes it possible for us to succeed, and the support of our community is crucial to being a leader.”

On July 30, Phillips selected Volkert, who most recently served as captain in charge of the Detective Bureau, after just over a month of interviews and deliberation.

Volkert succeeds Thomas Collow, who retired after holding the position since July 2003. Collow, who served 32 years with the force, said he will be pursuing other professional interests and spend more time with his wife and their son.

Following Collow’s retirement, Phillips was tasked to review a list of eligible candidates from within the department and choose a successor after a formal interview process was completed. In the interim, Special Operations Capt. Robert Bonfante served as acting police chief.

Volkert has been linked to the township’s law enforcement agency in various capacities nearly his entire life. His father, also William Volkert, served with the department for many years, including a period as chief. The younger Volkert has been climbing the ranks for the past 32 years.

Phillips has noted several qualities that display Volkert’s suitability for the position, including sound judgment and proper discretion. Phillips added that Volkert’s experiences commanding officers as leader of the Detective Bureau and his impressive record in solving crimes contributed to his decision. The mayor also lauded the way Volkert has handled the investigation into the recent murder of township resident Divyendu Sinha. Five Old Bridge teenagers have been charged in the beating death.

“We were all taken off-balance by the murder, but [then-Capt.] Volkert rose to the occasion and produced some of the finest police work I’ve ever seen,” Phillips has said, noting his sensitivity in working with the victim’s family, and his professionalism with the investigation. “The quickness of the arrests can be traced back to him.”

Phillips also noted that Volkert has been very responsive to the concerns of the community, and has given residents a very honest assessment of the situation.

Volkert assumed his responsibilities as chief on Aug. 2.

During Monday night’s ceremony, several other Old Bridge police officers also took their oaths of office.

Arthur Carullo and George Stader were promoted to from lieutenant to captain of the patrol and detective bureaus, respectively; Paul Moser and Robert Greenway were both promoted from sergeant to lieutenant; and patrolmen Gary Krupa and Keith Calvosa were promoted to sergeant.

All the officers were accompanied by their families as they were sworn in.

“I hold the police department in high esteem,” Phillips said prior to the ceremony. “I wish I could give you all that you’re worth, but I want you to know that the job doesn’t go unappreciated by me or the council.”

Council President G. Kevin Calogera spoke on behalf of the governing body following the oaths.

“We’ve promoted some fine officers tonight, who we believe will serve the Old Bridge community extremely well, especially under new leadership,” he said. “I promise that we will do our best to meet the needs of the police department and provide as much as possible to those who protect and serve.”