‘We are happy to have them be part of our team’

Six new officers join the Hopewell Township Police Department that serves the township and Hopewell Borough.

Patrol officers – Anthony Pizzola, Christopher Hayes, Jack Lane, Tylor Blake, Emily Diszler, and Ryan Morash – were sworn in at a Township Committee meeting on Jan. 13.

Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning administered their oaths.

“They are going to start the academy and be officers with the Hopewell Township Police Department,” Chief of Police James Rosso said. “Thank you all for your family and friends that gathered to support you here.

“We are happy to have them be a part of our team. We started with about 130 applicants last year and got down to these six.”

Pizzola grew up in Castleton in Hudson, N.Y. and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Marist College in 2023. He also attended the Christian Brothers Academy, a military academy in Albany, N.Y.

“During college, Anthony completed an internship with the Newburgh Police Department, which inspired his desire to become a police officer, a passion rooted in his family’s strong ties to law enforcement,” Rosso said.

Hayes grew up in Brick and holds an associate’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from ASA College in Hialeah, Florida. Hayes also played football while attending ASA College.

“He was previously employed at the Tallwoods Care Center in Bayville where he cared for patients suffering from dementia,” Rosso added. “In addition to his professional work, Christopher is a professional MMA fighter, training and competing for Nick Catone MMA Gym in Brick.”

Lane grew up in South River and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Wilkes University. He played collegiate ice hockey at Wilkes University.

“Jack is also a hockey coach for the New Jersey 87’s Hockey Club, where he has been coaching since 2019,” Rosso said. “He previously worked as an unarmed security guard with the Praetorian Agency and holds a SORA (security officer) certification.”

Tylor Blake grew up in Frenchtown and possesses a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology at Stevenson University in Maryland. While at Stevenson he played Division III football.

“He previously worked as a range safety officer at the Tactical Training Center in Flemington and serves as a volunteer firefighter for Holland Township and Quakertown Fire Departments,” Rosso said. “He holds multiple certifications, including Firefighter 1, HAZMAT and a few other incident command trainings.”

Emily Diszler grew up in Hamilton and is a recent graduate from The College of New Jersey. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the college.

“She currently coaches basketball at Steinert High School,” Rosso said. “In 2023, Emily interned with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, which, along with her father’s career as a police officer in Hamilton, sparked her interest in law enforcement.”

Ryan Morash grew up in Tewksbury and graduated from Hofstra University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

“Ryan played baseball at Hofstra and was the captain of the team,” Rosso said. “During his studies, Ryan was a member of Colonel E. David Woycik, Jr. Esq. Pride Leadership Academy from 2020 to 2023. Ryan was a former financial analyst with the Private Client Group.”