Mike Polaski Takes RTPD Chief Oath

Contact: John Nalbone
Robbinsville Township
Office of Communications & Public Information
jnalbone@robbinsville.net


ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – (UPDATED: December 30, 2021) – Robbinsville Township Mayor and Director of Public Safety Dave Fried announced in October that former Lieutenant Michael Polaski had been promoted to Chief of the Robbinsville Township Police Department effective January 1, 2022.

The Mayor administered the official oath of office on December 29, 2021, and will do so again ceremoniously at the January 6, 2022 Township Council Reorganization Meeting beginning at 6 p.m.
 
Polaski, in his 23^rd year at the department, will took over for retiring Chief Chris Nitti at midnight on December 31, 2021. He will remain in his role as the Township’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator. Lt. William Swanhart will assume the duties as RTPD Public Information Officer.

“Lieutenant Polaski has been an integral part of this organization for the past 23 years,” said Nitti, who announced his retirement September 13. “His skillset and experience make him the ideal selection. The department is in very good hands, and this will be a very seamless transition.”

Lt. Polaski, 46, grew up in Lacey Township, where he began his law enforcement career as a Special Officer in 1994. Hired as a Patrolman by then-Washington Township in March of 1999, Lt. Polaski was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2003, then Patrol Lieutenant in 2009. Lt. Polaski was named Administrative Lieutenant and OEM Coordinator in 2016. He resides in Point Pleasant with his wife of 18 years and two sons.

“I am humbled and honored by this opportunity,” Lt. Polaski said. “I appreciate Mayor Fried, Administrator (Joy) Tozzi and the rest of the selection panel for having the faith in me to lead this great department. Like every other man and woman on the force, I come to work every day to serve and protect the residents of Robbinsville, and I look forward to doing so in my new role as Chief. I also want to thank Chief Nitti for his leadership and for being such a great mentor to me. I wish him the best of luck in retirement. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the men and woman of the RTPD for their support and dedication to protecting the residents and businesses of Robbinsville. I will be proud to serve as your chief.”

Since the retirement of Marty Masseroni in 2015, officers Nitti and Polaski bring a combined 58 years of law enforcement experience to the position of Chief.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed such great leadership at the top of our police department,” Mayor Fried said. “We’re really proud of Mike. His work as OEM Coordinator during the pandemic has been exemplary, and the selection panel has every confidence he will maintain the legacy of great Chiefs at the RTPD.”

-RT-