A New Name for Police Headquarters

The Township police headquarters on Oak Avenue is still known as the , an outdated sign hanging on the bricks.

But an official name will come at 4 p.m. today: The Richard C. Clement Law Enforcement Center.

The former, longtime police chief for Toms River will be honored in a ceremony to rename the building housing the police department. Local police, retirees, FBI representatives, the and local officials are expected to attend the 4 p.m. event on Oak Avenue.

Mayor Thomas Kelaher said the distinction is not just for accomplishments Clement achieved as a chief, but as a longtime Toms River resident.

“(This) is in honor of Rick’s lifelong contributions to Toms River, starting as an athlete in and service in the United State Army Air Corp in World War II,” Kelaher said.

After the war, Clement joined the then-Dover Township Police and rose through the ranks from patrolman to chief.

Kelaher remembers swearing in Clement to the position of chief when he was a local attorney.

In fact, that was 36 years ago today, on Aug. 16, 1975. Having the day coincide with the anniversary is a good way to mark the service of Clement, Kelaher said.

The building dedication comes before a project to expand the building is finalized. The Oak Avenue site will eventually be home to a separate neighboring the police building. Also, an expansion of the portion of the building is planned, as are some upgrades and reconfiguring of the police department side.

The police department portion of the complex will bear Clement’s name.

Before Clement was chief, the police department came from a house on and into a series of larger homes before calling Oak Avenue home, Kelaher said.

He credits Clement with modernizing the police force.

“During the time he was chief he did a lot of innovative things,” Kelaher said. “He was responsible for leading the department from a small rural department into the present day, modern force that we see today.”

Clement also served as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Kelaher said, and received recognition from President Ford. After his service as chief, he worked for an Atlantic City casino as the vice president for government affairs there.

Besides making his mark in Toms River, Clement’s post as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police really elevated the township in the eyes of those on the outside looking in, Kelaher said.

“There is no question that, that appointment helped to put Toms River on the map,” the mayor said.

Now, Clement himself will be on the map, as the building bearing his name can be found at 255 Oak Ave., Toms River.