Dunellen Police Department Welcomes New Leadership, Expresses Gratitude to Retired Chief

By Jason Cilento, Council President & Chair of the Police Committee

At the Monday, May 6, 2019 Council Meeting, the Mayor and Borough Council expressed gratitude to Chief Nelson for his over 25 years of dedicated service to law enforcement and wished him well upon his retirement on May 1, 2019.

Mayor Robert Seader commended Chief Nelson for his service to the Borough. He noted that Chief Nelson kept the department going with a proactive approach.  He worked within his budgets and worked with the Council.  He kept everyone informed and most important, he kept the town safe.  He had the highest priority of keeping the schools safe. Finally, Chief Nelson kept his men going and kept them safe.  His legacy will continue through the men he helped select for hire and promotion.

The evening continued to a packed room filled with family, friends, borough officials, members of the community and several officers from surrounding police departments. These individuals all came to see and congratulate the promotions of Daniel Smith as Chief of Police, Christopher Beenders as Lieutenant, and Christopher Lovell and Brian Robbins as Sergeants.

Newly appointed Chief Daniel Smith thanked Gerard Cappella for his initial training and for instilling in him a respect for hard work, the same value extolled by his parents.  And he thanked Chief Nelson for his years of friendship and guidance.  Chief Smith established his goals and expectations for the department: to strengthen the current relationship with the community and Dunellen residents, and to reenergize the department’s community policing efforts by exploring an expansion of our capabilities  with a K-9 patrol and by reinstituting foot patrols and bicycle patrols.  He believes that a strong community presence is the key to effective policing.   Chief Smith believes this can all be accomplished with the help of the men of his department and the support of the Mayor and Borough Council.

The Mayor and Borough Council are proud of the hard work of all of Dunellen’s officers and are thankful for their service in keeping the community of Dunellen safe. The borough is looking forward to the future of the Dunellen Police Department under the new leadership.

About the Promoted Officers

Chief Smith attended the Somerset County Police Academy in 2000 and first began his career in the Middlesex County College Police Department. He was hired by the Dunellen Police Department in 2001 and since then has served in the patrol division as both a patrolman, a Sergeant, and as Lieutenant. Chief Smith has served as the Department Domestic Violence supervisor, Domestic Violence Crisis Response Team Liaison Officer, Megan’s law registration officer, Field Training Officer for new officers, Departmental in-service training coordinator, Internal Affairs investigator, registrar of departmental statistics, Sex crimes officer and Detective Bureau Supervisor. Chief Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University which he attended while working in Patrol.

As a Lieutenant in 2015, Chief Smith attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Throughout his career, he has received numerous letters of commendation along with awards for Educational achievement, exceptional duty, firearms proficiency, lifesaving, a Chiefs achievement award and a Mothers against Drunk Driving Law Enforcement distinguished service award.

Lieutenant Beenders attended Raritan Valley College before joining the ranks of law enforcement in 1995 while dispatching for North Plainfield Police Department. Lt. Beenders attended the Somerset County Police Academy in 1997 and first began his career with the Dunellen Police Department the same year. He has since served in the patrol division as both a patrolman and Sergeant, served as the department evidence supervisor, as the department domestic violence officer, as the agency Terminal Agency Coordinator for the State Police DMV/Warrant systems, as the department Bias Officer, as the department Discovery coordinator, as the department 911 coordinator, and as department payroll and scheduling supervisor. Throughout his career, Lt. Beenders has received numerous letters of commendation and has received awards for meritorious service, honorable service, lifesaving, multiple gallantry stars and a New Jersey State PBA Valor Award.

Sergeant Lovell attended Toms River South High School before joining the ranks of law enforcement in 2000. Sgt. Lovell attended the Ocean County Police Academy in 2000 and first began his career in the Seaside Heights Police Department. He was hired by the Dunellen Police Department in 2003 and since then has served in the patrol division, served as the departments Arson Investigator and served as a department firearms instructor. Throughout his career, Sgt. Lovell has received multiple letters of commendation and awards for firearms proficiency, Exceptional Duty, a Gallantry Star, a New Jersey State PBA Valor Award and Officer of the Year.

Sergeant Robbins attended Kutztown University before joining the ranks of law enforcement in 2004. He attended the Cape May County Police Academy in 2004 and first began his career with the Rutgers University Police Department. Sgt. Robbins was hired by the Dunellen Police Department in 2007 and since then has served in the patrol division, served as a Field Training Officer for new officers, served as the departments Megan’s Law Registration officer, served as a certified New Jersey Drug Recognition Expert, served as the Department Uniform Crime Report statistical officer, and served as a departmental training officer. Throughout his career, Sgt. Robbins has received multiple letters of commendation and awards for meritorious service, educational achievement, exceptional duty, a Gallantry Star, a New Jersey State PBA Valor Award, a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award, a Driving While Intoxicated “Top Gun” award, Officer of the Year and Life Saving awards on 5 separate occasions.