OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Operations Division is the largest division and the core of the Brick Township Police Department. The division is staffed with one Captain and two Lieutenants and is comprised of an “A” side and “B” side schedule and five shifts.
Captain Matthews was hired by the Brick Township Police Department in January 2001 as a Class 1 Special Law Enforcement Officer
He was hired in August of 2003 as a full time Police Officer and attended the Ocean County Police Academy Class#81.
He has spent the majority of his career in patrol working the evening shift. While in patrol, Captain Matthews served as a Field Training Officer.
In 2011, he was assigned to Investigation Division as a Detective.
In December of 2012, he was promoted to sergeant. He was a supervisor on the evening shift for his entire time as a sergeant.
In August of 2021, he was promoted to Lieutenant and became the Deputy Operations Division Commander and Evening Shift Commander
Captain Matthews was a member of the Special Emergency Response Team from 2007-2025. He was the SERT Commander from 2021-2025.
He was commander of the Marine Unit from 2015-2025.
On April 1, 2025 he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and currently is assigned as the Operation Division Commander.
The Patrol Bureau consists of three shifts. There are three Lieutenants and eighteen Sergeants. Each shift is under the supervision of one Lieutenant. Each shift is divided into squads that are supervised by a Sergeant. Manpower varies on each shift as demand requires. These officers are the department’s front line in the fight against crime. They provide service and protection to all of our residents and visitors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Some of the responsibilities within the Patrol Bureau are to respond to and conduct investigations into criminal activities such as burglaries, robberies, homicides, stolen motor vehicles, arson, narcotics violations, explosive threats, disorderly persons, etc. The Patrol Bureau also handles vehicle related events including accident investigations, motor vehicle complaints, parking complaints, traffic enforcement as well as a myriad of other functions including but not limited to medical emergencies, fire calls, animal complaints, loud parties, emotionally disturbed persons, court security, etc.
The following specialized units are also part of the Operations Division:
Bicycle Patrol – the Bicycle Patrol’s function is to be used for targeted patrol and special events to provide a more mobile and visible police presence.
Motorcycle Patrol – the Motorcycle Patrol’s function is to fulfill all the duties and responsibilities of a regular patrol officer, as well as specific problems that cannot be handled by a normal patrol vehicle. They are also used during parades and funeral details.
Marine Patrol – the Marine Patrol’s function is to provide a visible presence and enforce laws on waterways, and to respond to emergency situations and pollution protection.
Honor Guard – the Honor Guard unit performs ceremonial duties at funerals and special events. The unit is staffed by a Sergeant and officers from various divisions of the police department.
The K-9 Unit is also part of the Operations Division and specifically supervised by Captain Paul Catalina and Sergeant Keith Prendeville. Currently there are five K-9 Officers.. Their function is to provide trained K-9 teams to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, the tracking and searching for wanted/missing persons who are sought by the police, bomb detection and other such duties that may be directed by the Watch Commander.
Patrolman John Turrin #199 and K-9 Vader #916
K-9 Vader is a 8-year old black Labrador retriever who was born in New York State. Vader was assigned to Patrolman John Turrin #199 in March, 2016. Ptl. Turrin is a 17-year veteran of the Police Department. Ptl. Turrin and K-9 Vader were certified by the New Jersey State Police in June, 2016 in explosives scent detection. K-9 Vader has been activated several times under the Detect and Render Safe Task Force. K-9 Vader has trained in and performed explosives sweeps in numerous stadiums and large scale events. K-9 Vader was certified in explosives detection by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in June, 2018. K-9 Vader was certified in human tracking by Sgt. James Reilly, Toms River Police Department in January, 2019.
K-9 Vader has been re-certified by the following:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative (REDDI) in April, 2021;
- U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, June, 2022;
- New Jersey State Police, monthly re-certifications.
When off duty, K-9 Vader is a loving member of the family. He likes to play ball with the younger members of the family, or just lay in the sun and sleep.
Patrolman Scott Smith #231 and K-9 Echo
Ptl. Smith #231 and K-9 Echo #917 have been a K-9 team since August 2018. They graduated the Toms River K-9 Academy with a dual certification in patrol and narcotics detection.
K-9 Echo is a black and tan German Shepherd imported from the Netherlands. Ptl. Smith is a 16-year veteran of the department and both he and K9 Echo are assigned to the Patrol Division.
K9 Echo has been an instrumental part of narcotic and criminal investigations for not only the township, but has also assisted neighboring jurisdictions, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, the FBI and the DEA. K9 Echo and Ptl. Smith have assisted in removing large quantities of narcotics and firearms from the streets through their work with the BTPD Street Crime Unit, and have successfully tracked missing children and seniors, emotionally disturbed persons, and suspected criminals.
K-9 Echo lives in his home with Ptl. Smith and his family. When off duty, K-9 Echo loves to train, go for walks around his neighborhood, go to local parks and beaches in Brick, and spend time with his family. K-9 Echo will live with Ptl. Smith and their family after he retires from serving the Township of Brick.
Partrolman Raymond LaPoint and K-9 Rebel
Ptl. LaPoint #222 and K-9 Rebel #918 have been a K-9 team since January 2020. They graduated from the Toms River K-9 Academy with a dual certification patrol and narcotics detection.
K-9 Rebel is a 3 year old German Shepherd imported from Hungary. Ptl. LaPoint is a 17-year veteran of the department and both he and K-9 Rebel are assigned to the Patrol Division.
Ptl. LaPoint and K-9 Rebel have been involved in numerous operations for the Brick Township Police Department’s Patrol Division, Street Crimes Unit, Special Emergency Response Unit as well as the Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force and surrounding towns.
K-9 Rebel has located narcotics and related paraphernalia in vehicles, yards and homes. He has also successfully tracked and located missing persons and suspects who have fled crime scenes.
On numerous occasions when dealing with hostile and aggressive subjects, K-9 Rebel’s presence alone has led to a deescalation of the situation with the subject being placed in custody with little or no use of force by officers.
K-9 Rebel lives at home with Ptl. LaPoint and his family. When off duty, K-9 Rebel loves to go for walks, play with his Kong toy and swim in the pool during the summer months.
Ptl. Glen Pacyna #287 and K-9 Diesel #919
They have been a K-9 team since May 2022. They graduated the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Academy with a certification in patrol.
K-9 Diesel is a 2-year old black and tan German Shepherd imported from Hungary. Ptl. Pacyna is a 6-year veteran of the Brick Township Police Department.
K-9 Diesel and Ptl. Pacyna are assigned to the Patrol Division.
K-9 Diesel has successfully tracked and located missing persons and his presence has kept officers safe while dealing with hostile and aggressive subjects.
K-9 Diesel stays in his home with Ptl. Pacyna and his family. When off duty, K-9 Diesel loves to go for walks, play fetch with his Kong and spend time with his family. K-9 Diesel will be a member of Ptl. Pacyna’s family after his dedicated career in law enforcement.
K-9 Jax #920
Welcome K-9 Jax #920! Ptl. Melia #267 and K-9 Jax became a team in February 2025. They are currently attending the NJ State Police Canine Academy for explosives detection scent class #40. After graduating scent class, they will continue training in patrol school. Once trained Jax will be the newest member of our K-9 unit.
K-9 Jax was born in Poland on February 6, 2024 and acquired from Shallow Creek Kennel’s, located in Sharpsville PA. Ptl. Melia has been with the Police Department for almost 11 years and along with Jax they will be assigned to the Patrol Division.
K-9 Jax lives at home with Ptl. Melia and his family. When off duty, K-9 Jax loves to go for walks and play with his Kong toy.