Crime & Safety

Little Sworn in As Police Chief, Will Take Over New Years Day

Toms River Police Capt. Mitch Little was officially sworn in as the department's new chief Monday, and will take over the position from current chief Michael Mastronardy at 12 a.m. New Years Day.

Mastronardy will officially give up the post at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday and is set to be sworn in as Ocean County Sheriff shortly.

To become chief of police, Little signed the formal documents at town hall on Monday morning, officials said.

“The first of this year, Mitch Little will assume the duties of Toms River Police Chief, with a ceremonial swearing in on Jan. 7 at the [township] council re-organization meeting,” Mayor Thomas Kelaher said in a prepared statement.

"I’m grateful to the Mayor and Council for granting me this opportunity," Little said on Dec. 23, when he was formally nominated for the chief's position. "In my first year, I want to get several projects organized and I want to concentrate on the most serious issues that the town is facing at this time, which are the crime rates and the drug problem."

Also at the Jan. 7 meeting, the council is expected to re-create the office of Deputy Police Chief, a position which is slated to be given to current Capt. Steven Henry.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.