Carbone named Medford Lakes police chief

By Kristen Coppock Staff writer | Posted: Thursday, April 25, 2013 10:15 am

MEDFORD LAKES — The borough’s newly appointed police chief took the oath of service Wednesday night under the watchful eyes of his community, and vowed to do his best for them.

An unusually large crowd gathered for the borough council meeting at Oaks Hall to witness Chief Stephen Carbone formally assume his new role. The former lieutenant has been serving as the squad’s commanding officer since the retirement last year of former chief Frank Martine.

Borough officials were happy to make the promotion, they said.

“I’ve had some proud moments in this town. This is one of the proudest,” said Borough Manager Julie Horner-Keizer.

As the squad’s top leader, Carbone has overseen the creation of a new department website and the institution of new scheduling and payroll systems. He said he plans to continue exploring ways to use his officers’’ skills to enhance the department.

“The guys here have a lot of technical ability,” he said.

Carbone is overseeing a sergeant, five patrolmen and two special officers, one of whom also serves as the department’s administrative secretary. The chief said he’s planning to fill the lieutenant position he vacated, and hire two new squad members. He said the department has been down one position since Martine retired, and he’s hoping to reinstate a patrol job that previously was eliminated.

Carbone began his law enforcement career with the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, working with the narcotics bureau, and was hired as a Medford Lakes patrolman in 1995. He later was promoted through the ranks.

On Wednesday, ex-borough police chief Roger Smith, who retired in 1995, was among the former and current law enforcement members on hand to congratulate Carbone.

The ceremony also drew a number of law enforcement and emergency management personnel from Medford, Lumberton and Burlington County.

Medford Township Police Chief Richard Meder said it was important for them to show support for Carbone and the Medford Lakes squad, since the neighboring municipalities’’ police departments often rely on one another. He said they have worked together for years when answering calls and providing backup.

Borough officials noted that Carbone also has earned the respect of his squad, which presented him Wednesday with a plaque expressing their admiration.

In addition to peers, Carbone was surrounded by dozens of friends and family members, including his wife Krista, and their young children, Kelly and Thomas.

Carbone’’s oath of service was administered by Mayor Tom Cranston, an ex-officer who had trained under the new chief. Following the oath, Carbone briefly addressed the crowd gathered in his honor.

““We’’ll try our hardest to live up to your expectations and do the best we can,”” he said.

April 24, 2013