Manchester appoints 24-year veteran as next police chief

MANCHESTER — Antonio Ellis, a 24-year township police veteran, has been sworn in as Manchester Township’s eighth chief of police.

Ellis, who took the oath of office on May 1, succeeds outgoing Chief Robert M. Dolan, who retired on April 30 after 32 years in the department, officials said in a release.

Ellis most recently served as the department's administrative and support services lieutenant and as an expert in traffic safety.

"I’m honored to lead the Manchester Township Police Department as its chief of police," said Ellis said in a statement. “Our department is here for our residents during their most difficult times, and it is my goal to ensure that each member of our agency has the knowledge, training, and equipment necessary to serve the public to the best of their ability.”

Ellis’ department experience includes operating budget preparation, upkeep and modernization of the department’s vehicle fleet, as well as preparing a major grant application that helped procure body cameras for the department.

"I'd like to thank Mayor Robert Arace and the Township Council for their support and confidence as I embark on a new chapter in my law enforcement career leading the dedicated professionals of the Manchester Township Police Department," said Ellis. "Our mission to provide high quality public safety services to the residents of Manchester Township remains paramount."

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of four books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Former traffic safety officer appointed Manchester police chief