Lester Swick
Lieutenant
Union County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office
Lester Swick of Springfield, NJ is a first-generation police officer who was hired by the Union County (NJ) Police Department in 1983 as a patrolman. He was assigned to the Detective Bureau and became a member of the Tactical Team. He then became Certified Weigh Master and was founding member of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. He was a member of Motorcycle Patrol and a Search & Rescue scuba diver. Additionally, he received 20 citations for guns and narcotic arrests.
In 1987, he was hired by Union County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office. Throughout his career at UCPO, he was assigned to Grand Jury/Trial Unit, Homicide, Narcotics, Intelligence Unit and was an instructor at The Union County Policy Academy. He worked undercover and in 1999, was recognized as Union County Narcotics Officer of the Year. On the federal level, he was assigned to FBI Task Force, DEA and was Commander of HIDTA.
In 2000, he had a proud moment as his father Don held the bible, and his mother Betty looked on, as he was promoted to Sergeant. As Sergeant, he oversaw numerous successful wiretaps, money-laundering and state & federal drug investigations. In 2004, his wife Teri proudly held the bible as he was promoted to Lieutenant. He became Commander of the Guns, Gangs & Drugs Task Force and at one point was also Commander of the Auto Theft Task Force. In 2009, his case was profiled on America’s Most Wanted.
Upon his retirement in 2013, after a 30-year career, he was honored for his service from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and DEA.
Although he is proud of his distinguished career, he is most proud of his three children, Danielle, Cassie and Brian and the fact that he was able to be a hands-on dad and was either coaching or in the audience throughout their memory-making moments. He is also honored that Brian has followed in his footsteps and has chosen a career in law enforcement.
In his retirement, he has enjoyed varied part-time work, being a private detective and most of all spending time with his grandchildren, Zach and Grace and is hopeful for more grandchildren to come.
