TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A proposal to allow military service to count toward police officer hiring requirements in Toms River ignited a heated and often contentious debate at the July township council meeting, exposing a deep divide over the value of veterans in local law enforcement.
The ordinance, introduced by Mayor Dan Rodrick, permits military veterans to substitute time served in the armed forces in place of college credit requirements for becoming a police officer. After nearly an hour of public comment and council deliberation — much of it critical of veterans’ qualifications — the ordinance passed narrowly in a 4-3 vote.
Three Republican councilmembers — Tom Nivison, David Ciccozzi, and James Quinlisk — opposed the measure, forming a bloc under the breakaway group “Republicans for Toms River.” Their comments and those of some residents opposing the ordinance repeatedly questioned whether veterans possessed the temperament, mental health stability, and critical thinking skills to work in law enforcement.
“This just stinks,” said Councilman Ciccozzi, while Councilman Quinlisk warned that hiring veterans with combat-related PTSD could pose risks to the township. “You could hire somebody who has some baggage… that could negatively affect our town,” he said. Quinlisk later attempted to clarify his remarks, stating, “We can’t lower the requirements of being a Toms River police officer just because you were in the military.”
Councilman Nivison, a local farmer, also voted no, saying, “This is just a bad thing that’s happening here.”
Some public speakers echoed the opposition, claiming military service doesn’t translate to community policing. “Do we want to lower our standards for those who protect us on a daily basis?” asked Lavallette lifeguard Robert Tormollan, who also told 33-year Toms River Police veteran and newly appointed Chief Guy Maire, “You’re not qualified to be the chief of police.”
Others questioned whether veterans who held administrative or support roles — such as cooks or clerks — had the right experience. One speaker, who identified himself as a Waste Management employee, said, “They are trained to follow orders — right or wrong. That doesn’t always translate well to policing.”
Mayor Rodrick, who opened the meeting by defending the ordinance, argued that military service provides real-world experience, discipline, and leadership that are directly applicable to law enforcement.
“This is not about lowering standards,” Rodrick said. “Our veterans — many of whom have served in combat zones like Baghdad and Afghanistan — have proven their capabilities in the most challenging environments imaginable. If you can serve with distinction in those conditions, you can certainly serve here in Toms River.”
Council President Justin Lamb, a police officer himself, strongly supported the ordinance. “Nearly half of Ocean County police departments are civil service,” Lamb said. “And they’ve actually lowered their standards statewide. I think the goal of the administration to again open up the pool to more veterans… is admirable.”
Council Vice President Craig Coleman, who holds a master’s degree and comes from a law enforcement family, said, “That doesn’t make me more qualified to be a police officer than someone who served in the military.”
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, appointed by Governor Phil Murphy, sent a letter earlier in the week opposing the ordinance. He warned it could diminish the quality of officers by removing the college requirement. Lamb criticized the letter as an inappropriate attempt to interfere in local policy.
Critics of the ordinance have also blamed climate change for the state’s recent struggles, but others point to a more local concern: overdevelopment. In recent years, thousands of acres of forest have been cleared for massive warehouses and high-density affordable housing, which some say has overwhelmed the stormwater infrastructure and contributed to flooding and related emergencies — the latest of which shut down state government offices just a day before the Toms River vote.
Despite the backlash, the ordinance passed with support from Councilmembers Lamb, Coleman, James Byrne, and Lynne O’Toole.
Mayor Rodrick’s full remarks, provided after the meeting, emphasized the urgent need to expand recruitment while honoring those who served.
“We either support our veterans and recognize their qualifications, or we don’t,” Rodrick said. “I firmly believe they deserve this opportunity, and I know they will serve our community with honor and integrity.”
