Four Montville Natives Join Town's Police Force

The has hired four new officers, all of whom are township natives.

The new officers are Robert Szczur and Alexander Yang, both of Pine Brook, and Robert Koetzner and Anthony Condurso, both of Towaco.

The recruits will be replacing retiring officers who are leaving at the end of the year, according to Chief Richard Cook, who welcomed them before Yang took the Oath of Office at a meeting Tuesday night.

"I would like to thank the township committee for their support during this process and their vision to see that the police department remains at full strength through this transition," Cook said.

With the exception of Yang, who has already completed police academy training, the recruits will begin training at the academy on July 16. They are anticipated to graduate on Dec. 13 and, according to Cook, would be road-ready by March of 2013. Once they complete their academy training, the three recruits will also be sworn in by Township Administrator Trudy Atkinson.

Yang's parents, David and Wendy Yang, were present at the meeting and assisted with the Oath of Office. Just prior, Cook read aloud some of Yang's accomplishments.

Yang is a 2003 graduate of and has been a resident of the township since 1992. He is a five-year veteran of the Rutgers University Police force and obtained his bachelor's degree from the university before attending the Somerset County Police Academy.

Additionally, Yang is a U.S. Army veteran, having been deployed to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 2009 for his service as a platoon leader and he also currently serves as a first lieutenant infantry platoon leader in the Army National Guard.