New Police Chief Works Towards 'Top Notch' Service

One month and four new police officers later, work at the Lacey Township Police Department under new Chief of Police David A. Paprota is well under way.

Paprota, appointed Chief on March 15, has been actively improving the department since he became Officer in Charge upon former Chief Bill Nally’s retirement.

Starting by better connecting the police department with the community through Facebook and a new website and most recently completing the hiring of four new full-time police officers, three part-time special officers and a part-time dispatcher.

“The future of the Lacey Township Police Department and the level of service provided to the public are dependent upon the hiring of the best possible candidates,” Paprota said. “The selection of the right personnel is one of the most important responsibilities of a chief of police and is a critical component in ensuring the vision I have for the police department comes to fruition.”

Just what is that vision?

Moving forward, Paprota plans to develop a “culture of competency” throughout the department by drawing on each member’s strengths. By ensuring the right person is in the most fitting position, the department will perform at the highest level, he said.

“With the right people in the right place, all working as a team, I envision the Lacey Township Police Department as a high-performing team in every respect,” he said.

Paprota’s priority as chief is the development and maintenance of the “highest functioning, ethical public safety agency possible,” which will ultimately help the department to effectively deal with Lacey's problems, he said.

“In proper time, there will be positive changes made in every aspect of the police department,” he said.

Paprota intends to assess every job title and function of the department, “making the appropriate changes,” he said.

“Literally, since January, changes are being made every day to provide greater efficiency and effectiveness in department operations,” Paprota said. “That process will continue as long as I am chief of police, as change is necessary to keep pace with the ever changing problems facing our community.”

The hiring of four new officers will fill a much-needed void in an effort to serve the public, he said. Over the past six years, the department has lost 24 full and part-time employees.

There has been more than $1 million a year in cost savings from retirements over the past six years. Those savings will increase over the next 15 months with additional anticipated retirements, regardless of the new personnel, he said.

“It is important to recognize that the hiring is not to expand the police department, but is to ensure we have at least the minimal number of personnel to maintain the public safety,” Paprota said.

The majority of significant crimes in Lacey are related to drug use and can be enforced through drug enforcement, he said.

“The most significant approach to combating the crime issues in town is through dealing head on with the prescription pill and heroin problem we are facing,” Paprota said.

The department is working closely with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group and neighboring agencies to tackle the drug problems facing Lacey.

“Interagency cooperation is a high priority moving forward,” Paprota said. “With limited resources, it is essential that we draw on the assistance that is available from outside our borders.”

Paprota, a 34-year resident of Lacey, graduated from the Lacey Township High School in 1988. He began his law enforcement career with the Beach Haven Police Department as a special officer at age 19.

After attending the full-time Ocean County Police Academy in 1990, he graduated number one overall in his class and received the high marksmanship award.

From there, he was hired with the Tinton Falls Police Department and transferred to his hometown community of Lacey in 1992. He was promoted to sergeant in 1998, lieutenant in 2001 and captain in 2005, having achieved the highest test score in the state on each promotional exam.

“I look forward to making long lasting improvements to the police department and providing an atmosphere that promotes professionalism and top notch service to the public,” Paprota said. “Although I am a new chief, I am committed to ensuring that the leaders of the future are fully prepared for their responsibilities.”

Paprota has Doctor of Education, Educational Specialist and Master of Arts in Education degrees from Seton Hall University as well as a Certified Public Manager degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He participated in the West Point Command and Leadership Program in 1999, served as an adjunct professor in Seton Hall University’s Human Resource Training and Development graduate level program and is a published author. He also was the vice-president and co-owner of Holtz Learning Centers, a public safety and professional development training company, for more than 13 years.