New Cranbury police chief looks to future

[news]

New Cranbury police chief looks to future

By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
Posted: Friday, June 6, 2008 10:15 AM EDT

CRANBURY — More than two decades ago, a young Ed Kahler approached a Cranbury police officer named Capt. Harry Kleinkauf, with high hopes of getting a job on the force.

”I promised, ‘if you hire me I’m going to stay in Cranbury,’ and 22 years later I’ve kept my promise,” he said.

Big dreams and high hopes really paid off for that spirited young officer as Ed Kahler, now 47, stepped into his new role as chief of the Cranbury Police Department last Sunday.

He took the department’s reins after former Chief John Hansen retired last week.

Chief Kahler, born, raised and still living in South Brunswick said he knew that police work was in his future while he was still a middle school student. As a child he even made a pact with his best friend that they would someday sport the badge, an oath they both lived up to as his longtime friend is currently serving a neighboring community.

”He’s retiring from Franklin Township (Police Department) next year,” he said. “I was 11 or 12 when I really got the bug. I’ve always wanted to do it ever since I was very young.”
Not only was police work in his future but in his blood, too. He said he was inspired by an uncle who worked for the South River Police Department.

Chief Kahler pursued his dream job after receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and police administration from Trenton State College in 1983 and joining the Middlesex County College Police Department for a year.
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http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/06/06/cranbury_press/news/doc484945fac8861254723933.prt