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Swanhart named RTPD’s top cop
right man, at the right time, and at the end of the day I feel In Robbinsville Township, a the exact same way about Lt. new era of leadership begins as Swanhart.” Swanhart’s journey to the William Swanhart gets ready to step into the role of chief of the role is not just professional proRobbinsville Township Police gression, but the culmination of a life-long commitment to serDepartment. But his journey to the top is vice and safety. His connection far from ordinary — it’s a story to law enforcement runs deep, of dedication, family influence, beginning in his childhood. “I have been around law and a vision to revolutionize enforcement my modern policing. whole life,” he Swanhart, who said, reflecting on will officially the influence of his become chief after Uncle Gene Swancurrent Chief hart, a lieutenant Michael Polaski in the neighborretires at the end ing West Windsor of this month, has Township Police a long and accomDepartment. plished history in “Throughout my law enforcement childhood, I was and brings a wealth exposed to law of experience enforcement offiand a new vision Swanhart cers, and these for the future of positive experiences guided policing in Robbinsville. “Lt. Swanhart’s experience, me to pursue a degree in crimtraining and steady hand cer- inal justice from Kutztown tainly rose to the top during University.” After graduating from Kutzthis process,” said Mayor Dave Fried. “We are extremely for- town, he began his law enforcetunate to have such a deep and ment career with the N.J. Transit talented pool of qualified can- Police Department in 2004. Foldidates, and I would have been lowing his academy training, he proud to have any one of them worked in various commands as my chief. Mike (Polaski) will across New Jersey, including be greatly missed. He was the See SWANHART, Page 7 By Ally UHlendorF
Members of the Robbinsville High School boys’ soccer team and its coaches are pictured after winning the Central Jersey Group II sectional championship on Nov. 15, 2024.
RHS boys’ soccer team wins sectional championship RiCH FisHer
Brody Kaplan feels vindicated. “It was unbelievable at the beginning of the season how much we were doubted,” the senior goalie for Robbinsville High’s boys soccer team said. “We were doubted by parents, friends, past teammates. Some people told us we were gonna
be an 8-8 team and we were gonna lose very early in the state tournament. “After we lost in the state championship game last year, I had people laugh in my face when I told them that we were gonna be there next year, and we came pretty close. We had the best record in school history. It means a lot.” As it should. After losing
seven starters – who combined for 73 of the team’s 84 goals – from its NJSIAA Group III finalist, Robbinsville heard the whispers. They had won a state title and came within a win of another one, but they were told their time was over. Wrong! The “next man up” philosophy was on full display, as RHS See SOCCER, Page 16
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