MANCHESTER POLICE CHIEF ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY POLICE TRAFFIC OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
January 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 11
MANCHESTER POLICE CHIEF ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY POLICE TRAFFIC OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Manchester Police Chief Antonio Ellis is widely regarded as an expert in the field of traffic safety.
To that end, he is the ideal law enforcement professional to serve as the President of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association( NJPTOA). Chief Ellis took the oath of office on December 3 for the two-year term, after serving as the association’ s executive director. More than 100 traffic safety professionals were in attendance for the swearing-in.
Founded in 1974 by Fanwood Police Chief Tony Parenti, the NJPTOA is a statewide organization focused on enhancing traffic safety by educating the public, advocating for safer roads, and keeping officers informed on new technologies and legislation. It is the largest professional organization in New Jersey dedicated to traffic safety, with more than 800 members encompassing all police agencies in the state.
“ There is no one better in New Jersey to serve as the leader of the NJPTOA, as Chief Ellis has completed numerous specializations in the field and has continually served as a subject matter instructor for law enforcement officers,” said NJSACOP President Andrew Caggiano, who is the Montville police chief.“ We congratulate Chief Ellis on his dedication to keeping New Jersey’ s roadways safe.”
Most recently, Chief Ellis participated in a traffic safety video for the NJSACOP that was released in preparation for the summer, when traffic accidents and fatalities are on the rise. See it here.
" I have been focused on traffic enforcement initiatives for the NJSACOP for some time and becoming president of the NJPTOA is a natural progression in my commitment to making New Jersey ' s roadways as safe as possible,” Chief Ellis said.“ I will be looking for opportunities for the two associations to work together on shared goals, as we collectively advocate for pedestrian safety, strong driver awareness and more enforcement of the state ' s laws and statutes.”
Chief Ellis was handed the gavel from former president, Deputy Chief Nickolas Schock of the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office who will now serve as Immediate Past President.
Other Board members include:
• Executive Vice President: Cpl. Ronald Koumaras- Vernon Police Department
• Operations Secretary: Lt. Mark Wilson( Ret.)- Voorhees Police Department
• Recording Secretary: Police Officer Robert Moran- Egg Harbor Twp Police Department
• Treasurer: Sgt. Ross Chase- Lawnside Police Department
• Financial Secretary: Sgt. Michael Winters- Edison Police Department
• Sergeant at Arms: Lt. John Lecreux- Verona Police Department
• Immediate Past President: Deputy Chief Nicholas Schock- Gloucester County Prosecutor ' s Office