TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Police Department is grappling with a staffing crisis amid a sharp rise in crime and growing tension between department leadership and Mayor Dan Rodrick’s administration. In the past several months, 14 officers have retired from the force — the largest single-year total in the department’s history — leaving Toms River with just 140 officers, more than 20 fewer than when Rodrick took office in 2022.
The wave of retirements not only jeopardizes public safety but also triggers an unprecedented surge in pension payouts, placing additional strain on the township’s budget and potentially leading to higher taxes for residents.
The timing of the departures has raised concerns among residents and local officials, as violent and property crimes have increased significantly year over year, according to the latest figures published by City-Data.com.
Crime Up Across the Board
Data from 2022 to 2023 shows substantial increases in multiple crime categories in Toms River:
- Reported rape cases rose from 2 to 20.
- Robberies tripled, from 5 to 15.
- Aggravated assaults increased from 55 to 75.
- Burglaries rose from 104 to 125.
- Thefts jumped from 873 to 1,055.
- Motor vehicle thefts increased from 63 to 68.
The rise in crime has heightened scrutiny of the department’s internal challenges, including low morale and what some describe as a breakdown in communication between rank-and-file officers and the mayor’s office.
Officers Cite Poor Morale and Political Interference
Sources within the department attribute much of the turmoil to decisions made by Mayor Rodrick, including a unilateral change to patrol schedules that was implemented without input from police leadership. The shift disrupted officer work-life balance and, according to multiple officers, contributed directly to the recent wave of retirements.
“This isn’t just about scheduling — it’s about feeling unheard and unsupported,” said one former officer. “People are leaving because they don’t see a future here.”
Acting Chief’s Departure and Leadership Shift
Tensions escalated further this spring with reports that Acting Police Chief Michael Sundack is being pushed into early retirement. According to Town Hall insiders, the Rodrick administration is considering the appointment of a civilian Public Safety Director to oversee police operations — a move that would shift day-to-day control of the department from sworn law enforcement to a political appointee.
Critics argue that such a change risks further destabilizing the department during a period of rising crime and declining staff.
Public Frustration Grows
In early 2024, nearly 70 residents gathered outside Town Hall to show support for the police department and protest the mayor’s proposed restructuring. While residents have also raised concerns over the department’s compensation structure, many note that it is patrol officers — not command staff — who are bearing the brunt of the current climate.
“These aren’t just executives retiring,” one retired officer noted. “It’s the officers on the street who are leaving — and that has real consequences for public safety.”
Department at a Crossroads
The combination of increased crime, diminished staffing, and administrative instability has left many in the community questioning the future of public safety in Toms River.
As the police department struggles to maintain adequate coverage and morale continues to decline, residents and officers alike are looking to Township leadership for answers.
With more retirements expected and crime rates climbing, the question facing Toms River is no longer hypothetical: Can a shrinking police department keep pace with a growing public safety challenge?
