In Robbinsville Township, a new era of leadership begins as William Swanhart gets ready to step into the role of chief of the Robbinsville Township Police Department.
But his journey to the top is far from ordinary — it’s a story of dedication, family influence, and a vision to revolutionize modern policing.
Swanhart, who will officially become chief after current Chief Michael Polaski retires at the end of this month, has a long and accomplished history in law enforcement and brings a wealth of experience and a new vision for the future of policing in Robbinsville.
“Lt. Swanhart’s experience, training and steady hand certainly rose to the top during this process,” said Mayor Dave Fried. “We are extremely fortunate to have such a deep and talented pool of qualified candidates, and I would have been proud to have any one of them as my chief. Mike (Polaski) will be greatly missed. He was the right man, at the right time, and at the end of the day I feel the exact same way about Lt. Swanhart.”
Swanhart’s journey to the role is not just professional progression, but the culmination of a life-long commitment to service and safety. His connection to law enforcement runs deep, beginning in his childhood.
“I have been around law enforcement my whole life,” he said, reflecting on the influence of his Uncle Gene Swanhart, a lieutenant in the neighboring West Windsor Township Police Department. “Throughout my childhood, I was exposed to law enforcement officers, and these positive experiences guided me to pursue a degree in criminal justice from Kutztown University.”
After graduating from Kutztown, he began his law enforcement career with the N.J. Transit Police Department in 2004. Following his academy training, he worked in various commands across New Jersey, including Trenton, Camden and Atlantic City.
In December 2006, Swanhart joined the Robbinsville Police Department, where he has held a range of roles—patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and most recently, accreditation manager.
One of the biggest highlights of his career was being selected to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy in 2023.
“It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said regarding the 10-week program in Quantico, Virginia, which brings together law enforcement leaders from across the globe.
This training has helped shape his approach to policing, setting him up with the skills needed for effective leadership in modern law enforcement.
As chief, Swanhart said he will recognize the importance of maintaining Robbinsville’s reputation as a low-crime town.
“Overall, Robbinsville is a very safe community,” he said. “We owe this to our men and women in uniform, who have an extremely strong work ethic and provide top-notch service to the residents we serve.”
However, he acknowledges that law enforcement is always evolving challenges, particularly when it comes to new technologies. Its rapid growth has created challenges for law enforcement, particularly when it comes to digital privacy and cybercrime.
Tools like facial recognition, drones, and body cameras raise concerns about surveillance and civil liberties. Managing digital evidence and encrypted communications also complicates investigations, as privacy technology often outpaces law enforcement’s ability to keep up. As technology advances quickly, police need to be able to adapt and invest in tools and training to ensure both public safety and privacy rights.
Swanhart says that leadership is central to his work, and he credits much of his own development to mentors throughout his career.
“Early in my career, I was lucky enough to be mentored by senior officers who had seen it all and understood the nuances of policing,” Swanhart said. “They taught me the importance of integrity, patience and making sound decisions under pressure.”
As he moved through the ranks, the guidance of previous chiefs and command staff played a pivotal role in shaping his leadership style.
“Mentorship doesn’t always come from someone higher up in rank,” he said. “Throughout my career, I have leaned on my peers who shared similar challenges and aspirations. These colleagues have been invaluable in offering support, sharing experiences and providing feedback.”
Reflecting on his own experiences as both a mentee and a mentor, Swanhart aims to lead the department with a style rooted in transformational leadership.
“Leadership is about inspiring others to reach their fullest potential while serving the needs of the community and the officers who work tirelessly to protect it,” he said. This approach will focus on empowering officers, fostering community collaboration and emphasizing ethical decision-making.
Looking into the future, Swanhart has outlined a clear path for the town’s police department. His vision revolves around three main pillars: people, policies, and partnerships. He believes in focusing not only on the people in the community but also on the well-being of the officers.
“By focusing on the well-being of our officers, we will be able to create a positive environment where officers are supported and treated fairly,” he said. “This will in turn create a police department that continues to serve our public with empathy, respect and transparency.”
One significant achievement for the department was receiving Accreditation status through the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association. This status helps guide the department in best practices for policies and procedures, ensuring that officers are well-equipped to handle various situations.
“This accreditation status allows us to follow best practices with policies and provides our officers with guidance on how to handle situations with detailed procedures,” Swanhart said.
In terms of community involvement, Swanhart is focused on building stronger partnerships within and outside of the community.
“Partnerships allow us to be embedded in the community in which we serve,” he said.
This includes working closely with business owners, community stakeholders and faith-based organizations to build trust and strengthen ties with the public.
A recent example of this is the department’s first-ever Police Citizen’s Academy, which allowed residents to see firsthand what officers do on a daily basis. This initiative has been well-received and is a testament to the department’s commitment to transparency and community engagement.
As part of his leadership, Swanhart also plans to implement an Officer Wellness Program. “There is unfortunately a huge stigma with mental health and the law enforcement profession,” Swanhart said.
To address this, he aims to expand access to mental health support for officers. In addition to the existing statewide resiliency officer program, he hopes to bring in organized in-service training that will help officers manage stress both personally and professionally.
“Providing officers with access to financial advisors, family counselors, sleep experts, and dieticians will help ensure that they are taken care of mentally and physically,” he said.
Another goal for Swanhart is to have the department’s dispatch center go through the accreditation process. This will further improve the effectiveness of the department by ensuring that dispatchers have sound policies and procedures in place, ultimately enhancing service delivery to the community.
When looking ahead to the future of the Robbinsville Police Department, Swanhart is committed to leveraging technology, prioritizing community engagement, and rethinking the role of police.
“As societal expectations change and the demands of modern policing evolve, we need to balance innovation with responsibility,” he said.
Chief Swanhart also always expresses gratitude for his family, colleagues and mentors who have supported him throughout his journey. He recognizes the unwavering support of his wife, Jamie, and their children, Lucy, Lilly and Wyatt, as well as the guidance of his parents, who instilled in him the values of hard work and service.
“I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues and previous Chiefs who have shaped me into the officer and person I am today,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to make Robbinsville a great place to work and live.”
William Swanhart has been named chief of the Robbinsville Township Police Department.,
