Borough Resident Joins Lakehurst Police Department

A full-time officer has been added to police force, bringing the department's number of regular officers to seven. 

The oath of office for Mark Panzano, 31, was administered during the Borough Council's regular meeting Thursday night. Friends and family watched the Lakehurst resident as he was sworn in by municipal attorney Sean Gertner.

"We're excited to have him on board," said Chief of Police Eric Higgins. 

Panzano has been in law enforcement for four years, having served in Lavallette and Burlington City as a part-time Special Class I officer. Beginning on July 1, Panzano, who holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in administrative science, will work his first full-time police detail in Lakehurst. 

Being hired in Lakehurst "feels great," Panzano said, as he has been pursuing a full-time law enforcement career since 2006. 

"I had gotten so close, and something would always seem to set me back — the economy, lack of funds" he said.

Panzano currently works as a supervisor in a Pepsi manufacturing facility in Piscataway, a 120 mile round-trip. When he becomes a Lakehurst police officer, the borough resident's commute to department headquarters in the one square mile municipality will become much shorter. 

Living in Lakehurst since 2008 should be beneficial to the Panzano and the department as a whole, according to the chief. 

"I think it's important," he said, who added that many officers including himself call or have called Lakehurst home. "It's good for community relations."

Panzano will train at the Ocean County Police Academy beginning in September and is expected to graduate in February. After graduation, Panzano will be put into patrol duty, Higgins said. 

The borough will issue Panzano a $26,000 annual salary, according to the resolution appointing him to the post. Another full-time officer may be appointed next year depending on budgeting, Higgins said.