MANCHESTER – They are more than just brothers, now they are brothers in blue wearing the badge of the township police department.
During a recent council meeting, township officials were happy to vote in support of a resolution appointing brothers Jonathan and Julian Meaney to the Manchester Police Department.
The Meaney brothers were sworn in by Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer, in front of family and police personnel. “When two local kids who are brothers get hired on to the police department or any position in town, I am always proud to see our local kids do well. Councilwoman (Joan) Brush has known them since middle school.”
The mayor added, “they came up from our schools, they worked on our recreation. They participated in our sports teams. Their parents live in town. It is great to see them as part of our police department not only for the pride that they get but they are very effective because when the kids become involved in the police department, they already have a circle of friends that they trust.”
“When there is a crisis no matter who it is they go to someone they trust and when people see police officers that they already know and trust they know they can go to them,” the mayor added.
Councilwoman Brush added, “congratulations to the Meaney brothers, Julian and Jonathan. It is nice to see them get this position. They certainly deserve it. I wish them great success with the Manchester Police Department.”
Taking his oath first was Jonathan Meaney, 22, who graduated from Manchester Township High School in 2016. He went on to graduate from St. Thomas Aquinas College with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management in 2020.
He received academic honors such as graduating in the top percentile of his class as Summa Cum Laude, earning Dean’s List designation every semester, and being inducted into three national honor societies.
Jonathan remained involved in the Manchester community, volunteering his time to Little League teams during winter workouts, and working for the Recreation Department as a wrestling instructor and lifeguard at Harry Wright Lake.
His older brother, Julian Meaney, 30, graduated from Manchester Township High School in 2009 and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Elizabethtown College in 2014.
Julian is an accomplished wrestler; he founded the Youth Wrestling Club for Manchester Township and coached varsity wrestling alongside his brother.
He previously served as a corrections officer with the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility. Julian has been involved with the Manchester community, working with the Harry Wright summer camp for 15 years.
“It is a rare and special event when two brothers, both highly qualified and recommended, find themselves hired by a law enforcement agency at the same time,” Police Chief Lisa Parker said.
She added, “officers Jonathan and Julian Meaney scored within one point of each other during our most recent hiring process, putting them next in line to join our ranks. Given their impressive resumes, which include years of service to Manchester Township beginning at a young age, I’m proud to welcome them to our department.”
The two officers began their training at the Ocean County Police Academy on September 18. Following the academy, they will begin the Manchester Township Police Department’s intensive 12-week Field Training and Evaluation Program where they will be instructed and mentored by several highly trained officers.
“We wish them success in their law enforcement careers serving Manchester Township and its residents,” Chief Parker said.
