Mitch Little (File Photo)
Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little will be the next high-profile township official to step down from his post, putting the future leadership of the department in the hands of his nemesis Mayor Dan Rodrick and the township council.
Little announced his retirement from the department Friday. He released the following statement:
TRPD Family,
After 39 years and 11 as Chief, I knew this time would eventually come when I have done everything I could for the agency and my presence would actually be a detriment and prevent any movement with hires, promotions and even equipment. It is with a heavy heart and much soul searching that I have decided to retire effective next Friday August 23rd in the hopes promotions will be made, new officers hired and you can get what you need to move forward. We’ve been through this before and we’ll get through it again in time. I truly believe that. I will remain on the foundation and do whatever I can to help.
(Little will hold a ceremonial final “walk out” of the police department at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23.)
But in the meantime I will be hitting line ups next week to answer any questions you may have. As always, thank you all for the incredible job you do, your friendship and support over the years. You are an amazing group of people doing extraordinary things and I have been honored to work with each and every one of you. You have all made this organization and town a better place.
Little was appointed by former mayor Thomas Kelaher in 2013 following the announcement that long-time chief Michael Mastronardy would retire to run for Ocean County Sheriff. His tenure was marked by a growing department that continued managing the recovery from Superstorm Sandy, focusing on social media outreach to the community and utilizing technology to help investigate crimes.
Little was highly regarded by peers and other officials, and remained as police chief throughout the administration of former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill. But Rodrick and Little clashed almost immediately after the latter became mayor, after Rodrick refused to fill captains’ positions in order to set aside funding to hire additional EMTs. He also terminated the position of the department’s public information officer. In a shock to the community, the feud boiled over when Rodrick – to the consternation of many in law enforcement – decided to suspend Little for two days over what essentially amounted to paperwork issues.
Rodrick has also seen other high-profile township officials quit, including the township’s business administrator, the business administrator’s replacement, and the assistant business administrator. The township clerk is the latest official to depart. Rodrick since hired a former political website owner and Democratic campaign consultant, Jon Salonis, to serve as business administrator despite Salonis never having served in such a high-ranking position.
Under Toms River’s “strong mayor” form of government, Rodrick will have the ability to appoint the new police chief, though his decision is subject to the advice and consent of the township council. Rodrick’s allies hold a nominal 4-3 majority on the council, though there have been some points of dissent during recent controversies.
