By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Voorhees Sun

A longtime police officer in the Voorhees Township Police Department was recently sworn into his new position as lieutenant, having been promoted several weeks ago after two senior officers retired from the force.

Current Sergeant Gerald Bonsall was sworn into his lieutenant position in front of his friends and family to fill the empty position from an officer’s retirement. Bonsall will also be supervising the detectives unit within the department.

“Gerald Bonsall was sworn in as a lieutenant in the Voorhees Township Police Department on Feb. 8. The Township Committee congratulates him on his promotion,” Mayor Michael Mignogna said in a written statement.

On Dec. 31 Lieutenant Frank Bialecki retired from the department after 25 years of dedicated service, Mignogna said. On the same day, officer Mike Grace also retired after 14 years of dedicated service. Both officers served the township well, he said, and will be missed as the department moves forward.

Another officer will likely be sworn in at one of the next few meetings as well, Township Administrator Larry Spellman said, to account for the retirement of Grace. Mignogna said the hiring will likely come in February and will bring the number of police officers in the department up to 52.

“On behalf of the residents of our community and township committee, I thank them both for their years of commitment to Voorhees and wish them health and happiness in retirement,” Mignogna said in a previous interview.