Chief Robert Oches

Chief Robert Oches began his police career with the Middletown Police Department on June 17, 1974, where he was assigned to the Patrol Division, after graduation from the New Jersey State Police Academy 146th Municipal Class. On July 5, 1979, Oches was appointed Detective and reassigned him to the Detective Bureau. While in the Detective Bureau he was assigned the responsibility for the investigation of sex crimes and child abuse. Oches was promoted to Detective Sergeant on June 9, 1983 and to Detective Lieutenant on November 11, 1985. Detective Lieutenant Oches served as the Executive Officer of Detective Bureau from May 1989 until May 1992.

In May 1992 Detective Lieutenant Oches was selected to form the newly created post of Planning, Training and Internal Affairs, which brought the police department in compliance with the Attorney General Guidelines. On April 17, 1995 Oches reassigned as the Division Commander of the Service & Records Division, with the rank of Acting Captain.

During the month of July 1997, Acting Captain Oches served as the Acting Chief of Police, during the selection process for the Chief's post. At the end of that process, Acting Captain Oches was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police and was placed in command of the Technical Services Division, in which he was responsible for the management and supervision of the Detective Bureau, Service Bureau, Community Relations Bureau, Communications and Computer Operations.

On February 28, 2005, Township Administrator Robert Czech named Deputy Chief Oches Acting Chief of Police. On March 21, 2005 Robert Oches was formally appointed Chief of Police.

Chief Oches earned a Master of Arts Degree in Administration of Justice from Monmouth University, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Thomas Edison State College, an Associate of Arts in Public Administration and of Sciences in Criminal Justice from Brookdale Community College. He has also attended many training courses including the 182nd session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. and the West Point Command and Leadership Program, which is sponsored by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chief Oches is currently a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #53, Police Honor Legion of New Jersey, and Phi Theta Kappa.

In addition, Chief Oches serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, where he teaches Police Organization and Administration and Introduction to Public Administration.

Chief Oches and his wife and children are residents of Middletown.