River and Bay Authority names Richard Arroyo police administrator
Delaware River and Bay Authority officials have announced the selection of Richard H. Arroyo of Mays Landing, N.J. to serve as the agency’s new police administrator. On May 21, the commissioners of the authority unanimously approved his selection to be the highest ranking officer in the agency’s police department. Arroyo officially begins his duties July 1.
“I appreciate and value the confidence that the commission and executive management have in my abilities to lead and manage the Delaware River and Bay Authority’s nationally accredited police department,” said Arroyo. “Public service is an important part of my career. It’s a great opportunity to use the myriad of skills and knowledge that I’ve gained throughout my law enforcement career to make a difference. I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of the department to further our mission of public service, crime prevention, highway safety and emergency preparedness.”
As the police administrator, Arroyo is responsible for the management and administration of the authority’s police department, which is comprised of 58 sworn officers and support personnel.
“Mr. Arroyo’s expertise and leadership abilities make him an outstanding candidate to lead our police department,” said Scott A. Green, executive director for the authority. “He is a distinguished law enforcement professional who will bring passion, versatility and energy to the job every day. I am pleased Colonel Arroyo accepted the opportunity to lend his talents, leadership abilities and problem solving skills to our police department. He’s a great addition to our management team.”
In 2008, Arroyo joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as the director of the state park police. In this role, he lead a department responsible for patrolling the state’s 54 parks, forests and recreation areas which encompass approximately 422,000 acres and are visited by more than 17 million people each year.
Prior to commanding the NJ State Park Police, Arroyo served in the New Jersey State Police for more than 25 years. Promoted frequently during his career, Arroyo last served as deputy superintendent, in charge of Homeland Security. He was responsible for managing and leading more than 1,300 personnel to combat around-the-clock Homeland Security concerns related to crimes, terrorism, and both man-made and natural disasters.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Arroyo earned a bachelor of arts and master of science degree in administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He attended Northwestern University’s Police Staff and Command, specialized training at the New Jersey State Police in firearms, weapons of mass destruction, HAZMAT, counter-terrorism, specialized field disciplines, leadership and management. A licensed aircraft pilot, Arroyo is also a commercial, instrument rated helicopter pilot.
