Police Department honors retiring officer, promotes 5 officers and welcomes new officer at March 2 Township Council Meeting
March 4, 2026The North Brunswick Police Department honored a retiring officer, welcomed a new officer and promoted five officers at the March 2 Township Council Meeting.
Police Director Joseph Battaglia said it was a historic evening as it was likely the first time in his 40 years with the department that there were five promotions at one time.
“I want to thank the Mayor, Council and Business Administrator for all their continued support for us,” he said. “They are always looking to our department and always willing to fill those vacancies and spots and for these officers to get advancement. A lot of these guys have been here for a long time and they truly deserve it.”
Officers for promotion are: Captain Michael Sauvigne, Lieutenant Jason Zier, Lieutenant John Strzykalski, Sergeant Timothy Riley and Sergeant Keri Shutz
The department’s newest officer is Patrolman Jacob DeStefano.
Director Battaglia honored Lieutenant Wayne Degaetano for his nearly 30 years of service. Lt. Degaetano was hired by the department as a Dispatcher in 1994 and as a Police Officer on November 18, 1998. On August 3, 2009, he was promoted to Sergeant and was promoted to Lieutenant on February 18, 2020. Lt. Degaetano is the recipient of many letters of commendation and appreciation including two Exceptional Service Awards, five Unit Citations, and three Life Saving Awards.
Police Officer Promotions
Capt. Sauvigne has been a member of the department since January 2006. He was formerly a police officer with Middlesex College and Metuchen Police Department. He was also a special law enforcement officer with the Belmar Police Department and dispatcher with the East Brunswick Police Department.
Capt. Sauvigne was in the NBTPD’s Patrol Division during the early part of his career and was promoted to Sergeant in 2016 and Lieutenant in 2019.
Lt. Zier began his career with the department in 1996 as a dispatcher and was hired as a police officer in July 2002. He was in the Patrol Division then reassigned to the Traffic Bureau in October 2010. He was promoted to Sergeant in April 2021. Lt. Zier was instrumental in developing the Department’s Drone Program by attaining all necessary department licenses, becoming the PD’s first certified drone pilot and spearheading the acquisition of all drone equipment. He is the recipient of several letters of commendations and appreciation, including an Exceptional Service Award, five Unit Citations, a Medal of Merit and two Lifesaving Awards.
Lt. Strzykalski began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Highland Park and Franklin Township Police departments before joining the North Brunswick Police Department 15 years to the day on March 2, 2011. He has worked in the Patrol Division and as a Detective. He was promoted to Sergeant on April 21, 2021. Lt. Strzykalski is a recipient of many letters of commendation and appreciation, including an Exceptional Service Award, four Unit Citations and one Lifesaving Award.
Sgt. Riley has been a member of the department since January 1, 2014. He is a recipient of many letters of commendation and appreciation, including four Lifesaving Awards and two Unit Citations.
Sgt. Shutz began her law enforcement career as an agent with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and was a police officer with the Hillsborough Police Department. She joined the North Brunswick Police Department on July 11, 2011. She has worked in the Patrol Division, Detective Bureau and in the Anti-Crime Unit. She is the recipient of many letters of commendation and appreciation, including the Medal of Merit, three Exceptional Service Awards and six Unit Citations.
New Police Officer
Ptl. DeStefano grew up in North Brunswick Township and graduated from North Brunswick Township High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from Thomas Edison University.
Before joining the department, Ptl. DeStefano was a police officer with the Jamesburg Police Department.
