Avalon Welcomes Two New Police Officers

Posted August 25th 2025

Evan Hallowell and Michael Wiel were sworn in as members of the Avalon Police Department on July 23.

Hallowell, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., holds a degree in criminology from West Virginia University. He previously served as a member of the Ocean City and Stone Harbor police departments. He resides in Avalon.

Wiel grew up in Cape May County. He was a firefighter for three years in Wildwood and is still a volunteer with the Marmora Volunteer Fire Department. In 2023, he began his law enforcement career with the New Jersey State Human Services Police.

“I think it is beneficial for locals to be hired for various reasons,” said Police Chief Jeff Christopher. “I think they are more invested in the community that they are a part of – whether they were born and raised here or reside here now.”

The new patrolmen were selected through a highly competitive hiring process.

“In Avalon, you have to have an associate’s degree in law enforcement or criminal justice, or you have to have already gone through the special Class 2 Police Academy to even apply,” Christopher said.

Prospective officers are then subject to a physical fitness test and an intensive background check that involves reviewing their social media accounts, prior jobs, school records, and much more.

“We just want to make sure we are hiring the highest quality people,” Christopher said.

The Avalon Police Department is ranked in the top 1% of all the departments in the state due to its success over the last two accreditation cycles. Hallowell and Wiel have started their two-month field training, and they look forward to serving the Avalon community.