October 26, 2024
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Township Mayor and Director of Public Safety Dave Fried announced yesterday, that Lieutenant William Swanhart has been named the next Robbinsville Township Police Department, Chief of Police, effective January 1, 2025.
Swanhart, 43, will take the reins from outgoing Chief Michael K. Polaski, who announced his retirement effective December 31 after 25 years of exemplary public service, in August.
“Lt. Swanhart’s experience, training and steady hand certainly rose to the top during this process,” Fried said. “We are extremely fortunate to have such a deep and talented pool of qualified candidates, and I would have been proud to have any one of them as my chief. Mike will be greatly missed. He was the right man, at the right time, and at the end of the day I feel the exact same way about Lt. Swanhart.”
Swanhart joined the department in December of 2006. Prior to his appointment with the RTPD he worked for New Jersey Transit Police. Swanhart served as a patrolman until being assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit in October of 2012. In July of 2013, Swanhart was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he was assigned supervision of the Criminal Investigation’s Unit. Swanhart reached the rank of Lieutenant in July of 2016.
Since 2022, Swanhart has served as Administrative Lieutenant with duties that include oversight of the department’s Internal Affairs function, Public Information Officer, Field Training Officer Program, Traffic Unit, and School Resource Officers. During his career, Swanhart has been a Drug Recognition Expert, Evidence Custodian, Internal Affairs Officer, Department Training Coordinator, member of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Task Force, and worked with various federal, county, and local law enforcement partners.
“I’m very humbled by the opportunity to lead this great agency,” Swanhart said. “The groundwork was set for me by Chief (Marty) Masseroni, Chief (Chris) Nitti and Chief Polaski and I am excited to keep us moving forward. When you start at the academy as a recruit this is the pinnacle. Just incredibly proud to serve not only this agency, but the citizens of Robbinsville and I am looking forward to building a great relationship with them.”
Among his achievements, Lt. Swanhart garnered the State of New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Top Gun DWI Enforcement award. In 2014 and 2015, he received training from the United States Secret Service in Hoover, Alabama in the area of computer forensics. After completing the FBI-LEEDA Law Enforcement Development Course in 2017, Lt. Swanhart graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2023, Session 285.
“I would like to congratulate Lt. Swanhart and his family of this achievement,” Chief Polaski said. “Lt. Swanhart has been an integral part of this agency for 18 years and possesses the knowledge and skill set to face the challenges that may lay ahead. The department is in good hands, and this will be a very smooth transition.”
Lieutenant William Swanhart has been named the next Robbinsville Township Police Department, Chief of Police, effective January 1, 2025.