Dan Finkle was inspired to serve following the heroic acts of first responders on 9/11. He began his public safety career as a volunteer firefighter with the Newton Fire Department in 2002, responding to major incidents such as the Able Oil explosion.

In 2003, Dan joined the Newton Police Department as a Public Safety Telecommunicator, where he answered 9-1-1 calls for 11 municipalities and contributed to helping modernize dispatch operations. Hired as a police officer in 2006 by Chief John Tomasula, he attended the Somerset County Police Academy and spent over 13 years in the Patrol Division, earning recognition for his expertise and sound judgment. In 2013, he was awarded the 200 Club of Sussex County Medal of Valor for rescuing an entrapped resident from a house fire.

Since 2008, Dan has served with Newton’s Office of Emergency Management and is now the Emergency Management Coordinator, attaining the Advanced Emergency Management Professional and New Jersey Certified Emergency Manager credentials. He helped lead the Town’s response to major disasters, including Hurricanes Irene and Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019, Dan was assigned to the Detective Bureau, leading many criminal investigations and specializing in digital forensics as part of the Sussex County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Promoted to Sergeant in 2021, he first led a patrol squad before assuming command of the Detective Bureau later that year and leading the successful reinstatement of the School Resource Officer program. He also led the creation of the department’s drone unit and the Sussex County Law Enforcement Drone Association.

In November 2024, Dan was assigned as Acting Lieutenant, overseeing the Support Services Division which includes the Detective Bureau, School Resource Officer, 9-1-1 center, animal control, computer network security, and fleet operations. In March of 2026, he was sworn in as the Acting Chief of Police following the retirement of Chief Joseph D’Annibale. Chief Finkle is a graduate of the prestigious West Point Command & Leadership Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Russell Post was born and raised in Hardyston Township. He graduated from Stockton University in 2014 with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Historical Studies. Shortly after graduation, he began his law enforcement career with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, where he served for one year before continuing with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2015, Russell was hired by the Newton Police Department, where he has proudly served the community ever since. During his tenure with the department, he spent two years assigned to the Detective Bureau and was promoted to Sergeant in 2025. During which, he served on Newton’s Homeless Task Force. He currently holds the role as the department’s Lead Firearms Instructor.