William Krause Jr., who has served as the deputy police chief for the past four years, was sworn Thursday in as the East Brunswick Police Department's first police chief in 48 years.
EAST BRUNSWICK -- William Krause Jr., who has served as the deputy police chief for the past four years, was sworn in Thursday as the East Brunswick Police Department's first chief in 48 years.
Krause is a 25-year veteran of the police department and was also given the role of township director of public safety, according to a statement released Thursday afternoon by the department.
"It is my honor to promote Bill Krause to the position of police chief," said Mayor David Stahl at the swearing in ceremony, according to the statement. "I am a firm believer in strong organizations and the East Brunswick Police Department, as an institution, should be commanded by a chief of police."
The statement said for the last 48 years, the highest ranking official in the department overseeing day-to-day operations has been a director of public safety. Sworn police officers who rose to the rank were sworn in as deputy chief/ director of public safety.
Directors of public safety serve at the pleasure of the mayor while a police chief is a sworn officer and has more legal protection and cannot be easily removed from office.
"In this day where unfortunately too many elected officials have shown a lack of support for police officers, I felt it was important that here in East Brunswick, we respect them, and thank them for protecting and serving our residents every day in a professional and caring manner," Stahl said.
Krause served was captain in the investigative/administrative division in 2010 before becoming deputy chief in May 2011.
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