Manchester Police Bid Chief Parker A Happy Retirement

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Police Department bid farewell to Police Chief Lisa Parker on Wednesday, honoring her as she retired after 32 years in law enforcement.

The celebration honored Parker at her final muster (the assembly of the department's officers), where she was joined by her family, friends, township administrators and guests, the department said.

Parker was presented with a shadow box from Manchester PBA 246 commemorating her decorated 32-year career, a gift from the Emergency Services Division, and proclamations from Mayor Robert Hudak and Assemblyman John Catalano.

"I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many talented, hardworking, dedicated officers," Parker said. "It’s been a privilege to be a part of such an amazing team. I will always be thankful for the opportunity I had to lead a great police department, EMS division, career fire department and three volunteer fire departments."

Capt. Robert "Bobby" Dolan will be sworn in as chief on Thursday, and several officers will receive promotions at the same time as a result of the domino effect of Dolan's promotion.

"He is a great leader who has the knowledge and vision to bring this agency forward," Parker said. "I am so proud of him and all of the officers who will be promoted on July 1. They all have worked hard and achieved so much!"

Parker began her law enforcement career in Manchester Township in May 1989 in the Patrol Division. She worked in all of the Police Division’s major bureaus and units, serving as a detective, patrol and detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and captain before becoming police chief in March 2015.

"Chief Parker has always sought to find solutions to emerging issues," the department said in a post on Facebook about Parker's retirement. "As captain, she recognized the urgent need to combat the growing opiate epidemic and was instrumental in implementing the Narcotics Enforcement Team in 2015."

Parker then turned her attention to education and prevention when she selected several officers to work with her to research, develop, and implement a high school opiate awareness program entitled #NotEvenOnce. Police officers lead the instruction in the program and the collaborative effort between law enforcement and educators informs students about the dangers of opiates before they leave for college or enter the workforce, police said.

"Chief Parker is proud of #NEO’s success, as it has grown exponentially throughout the state with hundreds of police officers and educators having been trained by our #NEO Officers to teach the program in their jurisdictions," police said.

In response to the continued decline in members at the township’s volunteer first aid squad and an ever-growing demand of calls for service, Parker, with the support of the mayor and council, set into motion plans for the Division of Emergency Services. Launched in March 2020, this group of highly trained, professional EMTs now answers calls 24/7, providing exemplary pre-hospital care to our residents. In May 2021, the township launched a paid fire company, ensuring firefighters are available to respond during the hours when volunteers may be unavailable due to employment obligations.

Numerous other Manchester Township Police programs were implemented and improved during Parker's time as chief. The department’s K-9 Unit was re-established with two dogs and is growing with a third K-9. Parker oversaw the creation of the Police Youth Academy summer day camp, and the Youth Range Day, which teaches firearms safety. To improve emergency response during calls for service, Parker implemented the cutting edge 911Eye Program, which enables a caller to send live streaming video to the department's public safety telecommunications.

Parker also oversaw updates and increased standards for field training officers, incentivized officers to participate in the Captain Buscio Cardiopulmonary testing program, and ensured that the arduous task of agency reaccreditation through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is promptly and accurately completed.

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