Manchester Police Department Announces Leadership Promotions and New Assignments
Mayor Joseph Hankins, members of the Township Council, and department leadership gathered alongside friends and family on November 4, 2026, to recognize a wave of promotions, lateral transfers, and new appointments within the Manchester Township Police Department. The ceremony marked a restructuring designed to fill vacancies left by recent retirements and promotions while positioning experienced personnel in key investigative and operational roles.
Chief Antonio Ellis opened the ceremony with remarks emphasizing the department’s ongoing mission to maintain high standards of service for local residents. Following the introduction, several officers stepped forward to take their oaths for new supervisory and patrol assignments.
Climbing the Ranks in Manchester Township
Sergeant Danny Barker took his Oath of Office to step into the role of Lieutenant. A graduate of Monmouth University, Barker joined the Manchester Police Department in 2005. His tactical background includes joining the Manchester/Lakehurst Special Response Team before merging with the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team in its initial establishment in 2006. In 2013, Barker began his tenure in the detective bureau, subsequently advancing to Sergeant in 2021, and later joining the Narcotic Enforcement Team in 2024 as a Detective Sergeant charged with directing all drug-related inquiries inside the Township and orchestrating multi-jurisdictional cooperation with neighboring departments.
Joining him in advancing through the supervisory ranks, Detective Richard Jupinka took his oath as Sergeant. A Stockton University criminal justice graduate, Jupinka joined the Manchester Township Police Department in 2002. He spent the last 21 years in the detective bureau, handling high-profile cases including several homicide investigations while mentoring newly assigned detectives.
In addition to these supervisory promotions, Patrolman Stephen Hankins received the designation of Master Police Officer (Corporal). Hankins began his career in 2002 with the Seaside Park Police Department before joining Manchester Township later that year. Throughout almost 25 years spent in law enforcement alongside nearly thirty years dedicated to volunteer firefighting, his accolades include three Lifesaving Awards, two Meritorious Service Awards, an Exceptional Service Award, and two 200 Club of Ocean County Valor Awards.
Rachel Morris Takes Oath for Full-Time Patrol Appointment
The ceremony also formalized a series of lateral transfers and a new full-time patrol appointment.
Rachel Morris took her oath for a full-time Patrol appointment after graduating from Manchester Township High School in 2021 and earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminal justice from Lock Haven University. After attending the Ocean County Police Academy and serving with the Seaside Heights Police Department, Morris joined the Manchester Township Police Department as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II in March 2026. Having successfully completed the Field Training Officer Program, she serves in the Patrol Bureau.
Other notable department movements include Sergeant Keith Craig shifting to Detective Sergeant, Patrolman Jonathan Meaney moving to Detective, Detective Gavin Reilly joining the Investigations Bureau, and Patrolman Michael Sceppaguercio stepping into a Detective role.
I would like to thank Mayor Hankins, members of the Township Council, and Township Administration for their continued support of our police department’s mission to provide our residents with the highest possible level of service,
Chief Ellis stated, pointing out that filling these positions through new hires, promotions, and office transfers became essential for maintaining proper staffing levels in the wake of recent retirements and promotions.
