Longtime police chief stepping down Dec. 31 Police Chief Ronald Dougard plans to retire after 35 years BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer He is badge No. 2. That's an indication of how long it's been since Police Chief Ronald Dougard first reported for duty back on July 25, 1972, the day the Brick Township Police Department was born. Dougard, who has been police chief since 1990, has submitted his resignation papers to the state Department of Personnel. "He notified me over the weekend he had submitted his paperwork to the state Division of Pensions and Benefits," Township Administrator Scott M. Pezarras said. Dougard had originally planned to retire at the end of 2008, but moved his retirement date up a year, Pezarras said. An acting chief will probably be appointed as soon as Dougard steps down on Dec. 31, he said. The township administration and Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis will have the final say in who will ultimately replace Dougard, Pezarras said. The township does not have a current Civil Service list to pull candidates from, since Dougard decided to leave a year early, he said. "The human resources director is going to contact Civil Service about how to go about doing this, since we don't have an existing list to pick from," Pezarras said. Civil Service allows a municipality to draw from the two top ranking titles in a police department. In Brick's case, that would be captains and lieutenants, he said. "It's up to the administration as to who they want to take the exam," Pezarras said. Dougard's base salary for 2007 was $134,500. He was actually paid $150,618, with longevity and an educational stipend included, Pezarras said. He will retire with 40 years of service, since he bought back his military time, Pezarras said. The police department has four captains and seven lieutenants. Dougard was a lieutenant when he was tapped as chief back in 1990, said Capt. John Rein. Dougard informed the command staff verbally on Friday that he had submitted his retirement paperwork, Rein said. The state Department of Personnel would administer a chief's test, if township officials ask that a test be given, Rein said. "If they do ask for a chief 's exam, the Department of Personnel will administer it," he said. Dougard could not be reached for comment by press time on Monday.