Police Chief Darren White made his final radio call at the Mantua courthouse on Feb. 27. He served as chief for nearly nine years.
Mantua Police Chief Darren White has retired after 25 years in law enforcement.
His took his last radio call on the afternoon of Feb. 27, during a ceremony to celebrate his career at the Mantua courthouse. White also received a frame that features patches and badges earned during his career.
“He served our residents well and had an accomplished career serving as our chief for almost nine years,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman, a former police officer.
White’s law-enforcement career began in 2001, when he was hired as a Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) II in Woodbury Heights. He joined the Mantua police in 2002 as a patrolman, according to the department. White was also on the Gloucester County Emergency Response Team for two years. He was promoted to police lieutenant in 2012.
“Chief White continued his professional growth, attending the NJSACOP (New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police) Leadership and Command Academy and completing the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association training program,” read a department statement. “Over the course of his career, he has received more than 20 awards and commendations.”
The department also commended White for helping it achieve and maintain re-accreditation.
White was named chief of police in 2017. In that role, he expanded policing into Wenonah with a shared-services agreement; introduced a plan to extend the life and durability of patrol vehicles; created a fitness and wellness program centered around Jiu-Jitsu; and implemented the outer carrier vest program to reduce stress and injury to officers.
Under White’s leadership, the department ranked 33rd in the state in drug-related arrests.
“Working with Chief White was very simple,” noted Capt. Bill Murphy. “He made it a point to do his job well. He made sure policies were followed, he never chose favorites and he treated everyone the same.”
Murphy will lead the police department as the officer-in-charge (OIC) while the township seeks a new chief.
“Our values include professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and education,” White pointed out the township website. “The first letters of these values spell out PRIDE, which is something that is important for us all to have, both in ourselves and in our community.
‘Our members are committed to working alongside the community and not above it. This will help us to solve community problems together and to proactively address all issues within the township.”
“He left big shoes to fill and did a lot for this department,” Murphy observed. “Thankfully, for the past five years, I’ve worked with him closely, so I can continue his vision. He left a wide-open road for us, and I have to do what I have to until a new police chief is chosen.”
