Seaside Park Selects New Police Chief: ‘Faith and Family’

Seaside Park Police Chief Bryan McKay (Credit: Borough of Seaside Park)

Seaside Park has appointed its new police chief to take reigns from its most recent leader, James Boag, who has retired. Bryan McKay, who last served as a lieutenant in the department, will now lead the agency on a permanent basis, alongside his colleague Michael Konfederak, who was promoted to lieutenant shortly after the chief’s appointment.

The swearing-in ceremony for McKay was attended by numerous luminaries in Ocean County law enforcement, including Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, and Chief Tommy Boyd from neighboring Seaside Heights. All praised McKay, a Seaside Park native, and pledged their support to the new chief’s endeavors as he navigates a changing landscape in law enforcement.

“I think you made a great pick, Mr. Mayor,” said Boyd. “I’ve known this kid for a very long time. Seaside Park is a beautiful place, a special place, an enclave – everyone wants to come here. He’ll do a great job.”

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Mastronardy told the new leader, “180 officers in the Sheriff’s Office are here to assist your town.”

“You have a great department here, keep it up, and congratulations to Seaside Park,” he said.

Likewise, Billhimer pledged his support, encouraging McKay to engage with fellow law enforcement leaders and join what has become an increasingly cooperative relationship between local police departments and county agencies that have played a larger role in assisting municipal departments with the complex issues that often present themselves in 2025.

“Law enforcement here in Ocean County is such a collaborative effort and we work so well together,” said Billhimer. “I look forward to working with Chief McKay. We’ve known each other for a long time, and I’m proud to see you promoted to chief.”

For McKay’s part, the new chief used the floor of the meeting room above the department headquarters primarily to thank his family for supporting him through decades of a challenging career as a police officer.

“In 30 years of law enforcement, there are so many people who’ve helped me get to where I’m at, who have mentored me, been at my side, and I want to thank my wife Erica – she’s been a cop’s wife for 30 years,” he said. “She’s always been my rock when I go home, through good and bad. There is no one whose opinion I value more than hers.”

“I want to thank my children – they never complained about missing holidays or birthdays, I’m so proud of you guys – and my mom, who was born and raised in Seaside Park,” he said. “You have taught me to work hard, my faith, everything, and you taught me to love this town.”

In addition to family, McKay recognized his faith in God for helping him achieve success in his life, family and community.

“I want to thank God – without Him, none of this is possible,” McKay said, adding in a few anecdotes about Boyd, Billhimer and Mastronardy, and their influences on the law enforcement community in Ocean County. He also addressed the community as a whole.

“I love this town,” he said. “You have always embraced this police department. That has always been one of the greatest things that this department has. I’m very thankful for that.”

Seaside Park Police Chief Bryan McKay and the department’s officers. (Credit: Borough of Seaside Park)

Mayor John Peterson, who administered the oath of office to McKay, spoke on how the department has brought the community together over the decades.

“We have a terrific police department with a lot of dedicated men and women, and that tradition goes back many years,” said Peterson. “I was honored to be a member of it quite a few decades back, so I can share my love of the department. I thank each and every member, many of whom are here this evening.”