Former Seton Hall Baseball Player Gets Behind Plate for Morris Twp. Police

by Russ Crespolini

As a catcher for Seton Hall, Monmouth University and assorted Baltimore Orioles farm clubs, Robert "Bobby" Dombrowski was used to calling the shots on the field from behind the plate. 

As the greenest member of the Morris Township Police Department, he will be the low man on the totem pole. But according to Morris Township Committeeman Scott Rosenbush, he is surrounded by great teachers. 

"There is a reason we have such low turnover in our police department," Rosenbush said. "It is because we have a good group of officers and because we have good leadership."

Rosenbush also said Dombrowski had a leg up on the lessons because his father, Robert Dombrowski Jr. is a captain in the Maplewood Police Department. 

"You probably have learned a lot of these lessons already," Rosenbush said. 

In his introductory remarks, Chief of Police John McGuinness mentioned Dombrowski's professional baseball career which ended in 2012 due to injury. The Orioles loss was Morris Township's gain as the Denville native flew through the academy. 

"Officer Dombrowski was recognized second in his class of 44 recruits in firearms," McGuinness said. "The only person ahead of him had a perfect score."

Committeeman Daniel Caffrey said he wanted to make use of Dombrowski's diamond experience. 

"We've been toying with putting together a softball team and challenging Morristown," Caffrey said. "I say we move on that."

Mayor Peter Mancuso said while that plan didn't come into fruition this year, it would "definitely happen before the end of the season" next year. 

For now, Dombrowski has traded jersey #90 for badge 141. And it seems a perfect fit.