Police Officers Shimsky and Amerman Promoted

officers Sgt. Mike Shimsky and Patrol Officer Glen Amerman were promoted to Lt. Shimsky and Sgt. Amerman in a full-house ceremony Tuesday before the Township Committee.

Bernards Police Chief Brian Bobowicz said the promotions were the final step following a "competitive and challenging" process that included essays, evaluations, peer interviews and other reviews of the two officers.

Bobowicz said Shimsky, who also serves as the township's Emergency Management Coordinator, began his career in Bernards Township on June 1996 following his graduation from the Somerset County Police Academy.

Shimsky was appointed as a designated shift commander in November 2005 and then as sergeant in April 2009, Bobowicz said.

Following the meeting, Bruce McArthur said that Shimsky already had stepped up to fill the role of lieutenant event before the promotion was made official at Tuesday's meeting.

Shimsky said following the meeting, "It's an honor to be selected for this position and I am very fortunate be working with a great group of people that make up our police department."

According to the resolution, Shimsky will be paid $125,062 in his new position, an amount set by agreement with the police. Amerman will be paid $108.081, according to the police contract, which is in the process of being renegotiated with the township.

The chief said Amerman began working with the now 38-member police department began in 1998 after he transferred to Bernards Township from the Middlesex County College police. Amerman was appointed as a Designated Shift Commander in May of 2007, following an assignment of more than four years in the department's Traffic Safety Division, according to Bobowicz.

Amerman is a member of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART); a police instructor at the Somerset County Police Academy, where he was coordinator and lead instructor for traffic-related training blocks; a member of the Somerset County Search and Rescue Team; and one of the department’s primary RADAR Instructors as well as CPR/AED instructors, Bobowicz said.

Amerman has received three lifesaving awards, and one childbirth/stork award for a baby delivery, and honorable servive and educational awards while on the township force, according to the chief.

Amerman, who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1990, holds a bachelor’s degree from Trenton State College and a masters degree from Seton Hall University.

Bobowicz said that Shimsky has been the department’s administrative sergeant for the past three years, during which he was responsible for maintaining the state's accreditation status; supervising the dispatch function of the township's former regional communications division with Long Hill Township police department and overseeing the township department's migration to Somerset County that currently is underway.

Bobowicz has taken on many of the retired traffic services lieutenant’s duties, including fleet manager, outside duty assignments, and the supervision of that division’s personnel. 

Shimsky has held the post of emergency management coordinator, a post since his original mayoral appointment in October 2006, Bobowicz said.

The now-lieutenant has received six lifesaving medals during his career, along with a unit citation, honorable service, chief’sa chievement, meritorious service and educational awards, the chief said.

Shimsky holds a bachelor’s degree from Trenton State College and a masters degree from Seton Hall University, Bobowicz said.