Szkodny appointed as next police chief
To succeed Garbowski, longtime chief who retires in April
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

Above: Capt. Edward Szkodny of the Sayreville Police Department reads a speech to the public and borough officials after being sworn in as the new chief of police at the council meeting Monday. Szkodny will take over as police chief in April. At left: Chief of Police John Garbowski speaks at a press conference Tuesday at police headquarters.

After nearly four decades of service to Sayreville, Police Chief John Garbowski will retire in April.

Garbowski, who began serving as a patrolman in 1968 and has been chief for the past 10 years, will be succeeded by current Capt. Edward Szkodny.

Szkodny was sworn in during a ceremony at borough hall Monday.

"There are many challenges facing our community and our police department," Szkodny told residents and officials during Monday's Borough Council meeting. "As your police chief, I and the members of the Sayreville Police Department will vigorously address those challenges in coordination with the governing body and other borough officials."

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Szkodny described Garbowski as a dedicated leader of the police force.

"He has been a fair and impartial chief," Szkodny said. "He is a very knowledgeable individual."

Szkodny, who joined the squad in February 1974, thanked the governing body for allowing him to serve as chief.

"While performing my duties as chief, I will be fair and impartial, more pro-active than reactive, and of utmost importance, be very responsive to the needs and requirements of our community, our mayor and governing body and our borough officials," Szkodny said.

At 61 years old, Szkodny said he has initiatives in mind that are being discussed by the council's public safety committee and borough business administrator. He added that he will have more to say about those initiatives when he becomes chief in April.

A lifelong resident of Sayreville, Szkodny is a U.S. Army veteran who served for two years until 1967.

Szkodny comes from a family with a history of serving the public. His brother, Detective Sgt. Raymond Szkodny, is also a member of the Sayreville department and a volunteer fireman. His other brother, Robert, is retired as the deputy chief of the Bridgewater Police Department.

"All three boys in the family went into law enforcement," Szkodny said. "My father worked for DuPont and he was also a volunteer fireman and a former fire chief."

Garbowski said Szkodny is aware of what the role of police chief entails, and he thinks Szkodny will carry out those duties well for the borough.

"He has been here just a few years less than I have, so he certainly has a wealth of experience," Garbowski said. "He is very capable."

Garbowski, who became chief in July 1997, was born and raised in the borough. He served with the U.S. Army, mostly stationed in Germany, for two years until 1966.

"I came out of the military in 1966 and went back to work for DuPont," Garbowski said. "Shortly after that, I met a high school friend who encouraged me to join the Sayreville Emergency Squad. I saw what the police did and I got interested in the law enforcement end."

Garbowski, 64, said his time as chief has been interesting, and though at times it was frustrating, he has enjoyed it.

"It was very satisfying and enjoyable, because we have a great police force," Garbowski said. "Not only the officers that work here, but the staff, the civilian personnel and dispatch are the finest individuals I have met in law enforcement."

Garbowski described his relationship with the mayor and council as cordial.

"Conflicts were minimal," Garbowski said. "They were always as respectful of my position as I was to them throughout everything. The road, for the most part, was smooth."

When asked about what his plans are for his retirement, Garbowski said he will likely "watch the grass grow." He noted that he does plan to continue volunteering with his church.

"I have been neglectful of up-keeping my home," Garbowski added. "I have a wealth of chores there. I would also like to do some traveling, my wife and myself."