News Flash

For Immediate Release – April 21, 2023

MIDDLETOWN, NJ – At the Monday, April 17^th Township Committee Regular Meeting, Lieutenant John Werner was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief and has now joined Middletown Township Police Chief R. Craig Weber and Deputy Chiefs Paul Bailey and John Kaiser in Administration. Sergeants Brian Dilworth and Donald Coates were also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Officers Michael Heaton, Frank Mazza, and Joshua Midose were promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The room was packed and brimming with support from fellow police officers, family members, and friends. Mayor Tony Perry welcomed everyone and introduced Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago who spoke about policing challenges, the good work Middletown is doing, and celebrated the officers' achievements. 

"It's been said that promotion is not a reward for doing your job, but rather an indication of demonstrated ability to do even more," said Chief Weber. "I can honestly say we have never had a more educated, highly trained cadre of leadership in the department. I have full confidence in each one of these officers to lead the department into the future and know that they have the character and integrity to do what is necessary."

"We are very fortunate to have police officers who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment and dedication to their profession and the residents of Middletown," said Mayor Perry. "The Township Committee and I are grateful for their bravery, resilience, and countless hours they devote to keeping our community safe."

Officer Bios

Deputy Chief John Werner

Deputy Chief John Werner was hired by the Middletown Township Police Department (MTPD) in August 2004. He began his Field Training with now Deputy Chief John Kaiser and went on to become a Field Training Officer around 2007. During the summer of 2010, Deputy Chief Werner was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in Patrol and later served as Detective Sergeant. In 2015, he was promoted to Lieutenant and in that capacity served in many roles throughout the agency such as Administration, Training Lieutenant, Detective Lieutenant, and lastly as a Patrol Lieutenant. During his tenure with MTPD, Deputy Chief Werner has overseen the Police Explorer Youth Program and acted as a lead Resiliency Officer. He has also served as a crisis negotiator with the Middletown and Monmouth County MoCERT Crisis Negotiation Teams. 

Deputy Chief Werner is a proud graduate of Monmouth University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. In college, he was a student athlete and mentor. He was also on the university's Track and Field team and was voted MVP during the school's inaugural conference championship. Deputy Chief Werner's running skills helped him prepare for his career and earned him several awards while attending Cape May County Residential Police Academy. He has resided in Monmouth County for 35 years and has volunteered as a soccer coach and Boy Scout Den Leader in his free time. He and his wife Kristi, who is a schoolteacher, have been married for twenty years and have two sons, J.T (16) and Chase (13). 

Lieutenant Brian Dilworth

Lieutenant Brian Dilworth started working for the MTPD in August 2005 and has been a member of the Patrol Division for his entire career. He became a Field Training Officer in 2009 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2018. Lt. Dilworth has been an integral part of the MTPD Police Youth Week, an annual camp that takes place during the summer to engage young children who may be interested in a career in law enforcement. He is also a two-time recipient of the 200 Club Award. Lt. Dilworth graduated from Middletown High School South and attended Wagner College where he earned a football scholarship. He graduated Wagner with a degree in Sociology and a concentration in Criminal Justice. He earned his Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Lieutenant Donald Coates

Sergeant Joshua Midose

Sergeant Joshua Midose was hired by the MTPD in August 2013 after completing police academy and was also a 200 Club Award recipient. Sgt. Midose's father and grandfather are life members of the Middletown Township Fire Department, where his father once served as the Chief. Their example of service helped Sgt. Midose realize from a young age that he wanted to follow in their footsteps and commit to protecting our community. Sgt. Midose graduated from Middletown High School North and received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Brookdale Community College.

Sergeant Frank Mazza

Sergeant Frank Mazza began working for the MTPD in August 2005. Throughout his career, he has been a K9 handler, member of the Honor Guard, Field Training Officer, yearly recipient of the MADD award for DUI enforcement, and a winner of the 200 Club Award. Sgt. Mazza is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served during the Iraqi Freedom Campaign. While serving our community, Sgt. Mazza also graduated from Monmouth University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.

Sergeant Michael Heaton

Sergeant Michael Heaton was hired by the MTPD in July 2014 after starting his law enforcement career with the New Jersey State Park Police. Sgt. Heaton received the Medal of Merit in 2017 for apprehending a suspect attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. In 2018, he was selected for a K9 assignment and has since been an explosive/patrol K9 handler for Titan. Sgt. Heaton also served as a member of the Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force and an advisor to the Middletown Township Police Explorers. He has an Associate Degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Pictured from left: Lieutenants Donald Coates and Brian Dilworth, Sergeants Frank Mazza, Michael Heaton, and Joshua Midose, Mayor Tony Perry, Chief R. Craig Weber, and Deputy Chiefs John Werner, Paul Bailey, and John Kaiser

###