'We are going to be the best': Neptune natives take charge of police department

NEPTUNE - Two Neptune natives are now running the township police department.

Anthony Gualario was promoted from deputy chief to chief during a Sept. 5 meeting of the Neptune Township Committee. Capt. Michael J. McGhee was promoted six days later to take his place as deputy chief.

"We are going to move this department forward, in a forward direction and into the future. We are going to be the best police department, not that we aren't already (the best) in Monmouth County," Gualario said.

Surrounded by family, friends and his fellow officers, Gualario took the oath of office, succeeding Larry Fisher who retired on Aug. 31.

In 2017, Fisher was promoted from captain to acting deputy chief, becoming the first African American to serve in that role. In June 2022, Fisher was sworn in as police chief during a special meeting of the Township Committee. He took over a department that had seen a fair number of expensive lawsuits and other controversies.

Gualario is a Neptune Township native who graduated from Neptune High School in 1990. After graduation, he joined the Army and following basic training was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry, in Fort Drum, New York.

During his service, he was deployed to Southern Florida following Hurricane Andrew in 1992 as part of the largest relief operation in U.S. history to that point. He was then deployed to Somalia as the African nation experienced a massive humanitarian disaster and complete breakdown of civil order.

Gualario's military service earned him several honors, including New Jersey's highest military distinction, the Distinguished Service Medal, for his valorous actions in a combat theater. He is active in the veteran community and serves as a life member and junior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1333 in Neptune.

After leaving the Army, Gualario attended the Monmouth County Police Academy, eventually graduating as a police officer and receiving the Merit Award from his peers for likelihood of future success.

Since joining the department in 1996, Gualario served as a sergeant in the Traffic Safety Bureau, a lieutenant in the Operations Division and Professional Responsibility Division, and as a captain of the Professional Responsibility Division. During this time, he oversaw the Internal Affairs Unit and Detective Bureau as well as other duties.

The Chief of Police's salary is set at $205,540.

Gualario received a bachelor's degree and master's degree in administrative science from Farleigh Dickinson University and certificates in Law and Public Safety Administration and Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. He also attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

McGhee was sworn in as deputy chief during the Sept. 11 Township Committee meeting, surrounded by family, friends, fellow officers and numerous youth soccer players who showed up to support their coach.

"I know (McGhee) will do a great job in this position as Deputy Chief, being second in command for this fine police department," Gualario said. "I have known you for a long time and I stand here to see how proud your family is of you, which they should be, and we all are. All your accomplishments and hard work has paid off."

McGhee joined the Neptune Township police in 1999. McGhee is a lifelong resident of Neptune, a graduate of Neptune High School and continues to remain active in the community outside of the department as a youth soccer, basketball and baseball coach.

McGhee holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree from Seton Hall University.

McGhee has served in a number of positions, including as commander of the Operations Division, Internal Affairs Unit and the Detective Bureau, as a shift commander in the Street Crimes Unit, school resource officer, public information officer and other responsibilities.

The Deputy Chief salary is set at $188,731.

Deputy Mayor Tassie York told the new deputy chief she was proud of him. "I am so grateful for what you guys do for our community and I know you love Neptune, because like me you were born and raised here, in Neptune," York said.

Teary-eyed and expressing gratitude, McGhee thanked the room as he was showered with applause and cheers.

"My father would be proud for all this," McGhee said. "It is awesome."

The two Neptune natives taking the lead in the department follows former Chief Fisher's community policing initiative after years of controversy and lawsuits.

In July 2022, Fisher said the biggest issue facing the department was finding more "good officers" who want to serve the community, not just receive a paycheck.

From 2013-2020, more than $2 million was spent defending and settling lawsuits brought against the township and its police department, alleging retaliation, sexual harassment and discrimination. In that time the township paid $900,000 to settle two lawsuits brought by two female police officers. More than $1.2 million was paid in attorney fees defending those lawsuits.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Neptune police: New chief, deputy chief named to department