Manchester Police Elevate 2 New Sergeants

A week after the department added five new officers, Manchester Township Police promoted two from the patrolman ranks to sergeant in a ceremony Monday.

Robert Sharry and  Joseph Hankins, who have 34 years of police experience between them, were both officially sworn in by Mayor Michael Fressola.

Hankins, who has served in the department since 1994, spend six years in the patrol division before moving to the investigative unit, where he’s spent the last 12 years.

Hankins has been certified in numerous specialties during his time with the force, including as a firearms instructor and armorer, and has also been a member of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Company for 37 years.

Hankins has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Ocean County College and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration from Farleigh Dickinson University.

Sharry has served with the department since 1997, after stints in both Lacey Township and Point Pleasant Beach.

He’s been a member of the Ocean County Regional SWAT team and served in various capacities locally, including as a field training officer and a certified police motorcycle instructor.

Sharry has a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s in administrative science, both from Farleigh Dickinson University.