First officer who's a woman is sworn in, and two officers receive promotions
By Mandy Coriston
The Andover Township Police Department promoted two veteran officers on Thursday evening, June 6, and welcomed the newest member of their force, former Sussex County Corrections Officer Julia Perry. Perry is ATPD’s first female officer.
Andover Township Police Chief Eric Danielson spoke before a packed house at town hall, thanking the Township Committee for having the foresight to allow him to make the adjustments in his ranks before the impending retirement of Lt. Rod Mosner.
The chief promoted Detective Robert Youngs, a 14-year veteran, from detective to sergeant. Youngs will leave the detective bureau and be assigned as a Patrol Supervisor. Also promoted was Brian Kithcart, who began his career as a patrol officer in 2007. Kithcart has been a sergeant and patrol supervisor since 2014. His promotion to lieutenant will increase his duties to include overseeing the scheduling of the township’s 911 Call Center.
The ceremony for Youngs’s and Kithcart’s promotions and Perry’s swearing-in was attended by retired chiefs Gil Taglialatela and Phillip Coleman. Coleman said it was seminal moment for the department.
“This shows a movement in the department,” Coleman said, “Two really good guys got promoted and we have our first female officer. This is a needed move forward.”
Perry’s parents, Andover residents Greg and Jennifer Lwowski, held the bible as she was sworn in by Mayor Dolores Blackburn. Perry will be assigned to the ATPD patrol division, where Ptl. Michael Haggerty will be her field training officer.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Julia,” Greg said, “She’s just a super kid and she’s worked so hard for all she’s accomplished to realize her dreams.”
To clarify: Andover Township Police Chief Eric Danielson spoke before a packed house at town hall, thanking the Township Committee for having the foresight to allow him to make the adjustments in his ranks before the impending retirement of Lt. Rod Mosner. (The Chief is not retiring, Lt. Rod Mosner is retiring).