Dear Visitors,
After nearly thirty-five years of service to the Borough of Matawan, and more specifically to the Matawan Police Department, I recently made the decision to retire from my position as Chief of Police, effective January 1, 2026. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Borough of Matawan for over three decades and in particular, the men and women of the Matawan Police Department, for nearly eight years as their Chief of Police.
Serving the Borough as a police officer has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This decision was bitter sweet for me as I have dedicated more than half of my life to serving this community, one my family has been a part of for generations. From the time I joined the department as a police dispatcher and special officer in 1991 to the privilege of being named the 10th Chief of Police in the department’s history in 2018, I have seen the department continually strive to achieve the mission of Providing a Safe Community to our residents. I am deeply proud of the progress the department has made under my command while dealing with many challenging issues that we had never faced before, such as: the Covid-19 pandemic, statewide bail reform, the legalization/de-criminalization of marijuana, the U.S. Supreme Court’s concealed carry decision, the implementation of body worn cameras, and the statewide increase in stolen vehicles and vehicle pursuits, just to name a few. Through all of this, the men and women of the department did not blink an eye and continued to achieve the goals and mission of the agency, keeping the Borough of Matawan as one of the safest communities in the county, the state and the nation based upon size, population, and crime statistics.
None of this would have been possible without the commitment of the officers and civilian staff who serve the residents and visitors to our borough daily and the unwavering support of our Mayor, Council, community leaders, and residents. The support of the governing body made my job of acquiring what was needed to achieve the agency’s goals and provide our residents with a professional, well trained, well-staffed and well-equipped agency, that much easier.
To every resident, partner, and colleague who has supported our mission — thank you. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you, and I will always remain proud to have served as the department’s 10th Chief of Police.
Although, my career has come to an end, the mission of Providing a Safe Community continues. Please keep the men and women of the Matawan Police Department and all our first responders in your thoughts and prayers. Congratulations and best wishes to all the members of the Matawan Police Department as they celebrate the Centennial Anniversary (1926-2026) of an agency rooted in history and service to the community. Farewell.
Respectfully,
Thomas J. Falco Jr.
Matawan’s 10th Chief of Police