The Jackson Police Department announced a key promotion and six new hires during a Township Council meeting held on Tuesday, May 28. The appointments, introduced by Public Safety Director Joseph Candido and Chief Matthew Kunz, mark a continued expansion of the department, which now includes 114 sworn officers.
Promotion to Lieutenant
Sergeant Alexander Crinnian was officially promoted to the rank of lieutenant. A lifelong Jackson resident and graduate of Jackson Memorial High School, Lt. Crinnian began his law enforcement career with the department as an auxiliary officer in 2000 and was hired full-time in 2003.
Over his more than two decades of service, Crinnian has taken on several leadership roles, including team leader of the department’s Special Response Team (SRT) and firearms instructor for both the department and the Ocean County Police Academy. He also served with the Ocean County SWAT Regional Team and contributed to Superstorm Sandy relief efforts in 2012.
Crinnian holds a master’s degree in administrative science and a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was named Officer of the Year in 2019 and was promoted to sergeant in 2021.
New Police Officers Introduced
Six individuals were appointed as full-time officers and will be attending police academies this summer and fall:
- Tristan Terranova, a Jackson Liberty High School graduate and current member of the U.S. Army National Guard, brings a background in emergency response and leadership, including state active-duty missions and multiple commendations for service.
- Joseph DeRosa, also a Jackson native, graduated from Jackson Memorial High School and played collegiate lacrosse at Dominican University, where he earned a degree in health science. He emphasizes strong family values and personal faith.
- Jake Greene is a lifelong Jackson resident and 2018 graduate of Jackson Liberty High School. He previously worked for the Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority and credits a local school resource officer with inspiring his law enforcement path.
- Steven Bado, a multi-sport varsity athlete at Jackson Memorial High School, earned a full academic and athletic scholarship to Rider University. He is completing a degree in criminal justice and competed on Rider’s championship-winning track and field team.
- Lance Hobbs, a 2020 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School, served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including deployments to Okinawa and South Korea, and participated in “Operation Allies Welcome.” He returns to Jackson to follow his father’s law enforcement legacy.
- Ariana Broughton, a standout basketball player and community volunteer, graduated from Jackson Liberty High School in 2023 and is pursuing a dual degree in criminal justice and communications at Rutgers University. She previously served as a Class I Special Law Enforcement Officer in Long Branch.
Terranova, DeRosa, Greene, and Bado are scheduled to begin training at the Monmouth County Police Academy in July. Hobbs and Broughton will attend the Ocean County Police Academy in September.
The department expressed gratitude to Mayor Michael Reina and township officials for their ongoing support in strengthening public safety.
