Dan Kranz Sworn-in as Police Captain at Fanwood Council Meeting
Maria Torres · Union County Life
Dan Kranz was officially sworn in as captain of the Fanwood Police Department during the Borough Council meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026. Mayor Colleen Mahr administered the oath of office.
A Fanwood native, Kranz has served as officer in charge of the department and now assumes the permanent role of captain following several years of leadership changes. Union County Life is reporting on this Fanwood government appointment.
Throughout his career, Kranz earned an MBA, graduated from the FBI National Academy, and served as an instructor with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy. Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker, chair of the Public Safety Committee, noted that Kranz earned the promotion after taking on increasing leadership responsibilities during a period of significant change within the department.
"Officer Kranz was promoted not once, but twice in the last several years, and he has risen to all the challenges we have presented him with," McElroy Barker said. She added that Kranz sought every opportunity to grow, learning under county leadership and former Fanwood police director Mike Bramhall while mentoring younger officers. She described him as "a strong, well-respected leader who demonstrates an equally strong commitment to the department and to this community."
In his acceptance remarks, Kranz credited his development to people who mentored him throughout his career. "I constantly try to be in rooms with people who are more impressive than me, smarter than me, have more law enforcement experience than me," he said. He thanked his wife, Holly, for her support, stating, "The most important decision a person can make in their life is who you choose to partner with. I wouldn't be who I am without you."
During the same council meeting, Kranz presented commendations to Detective Lt. Ryan Gilmore, Sgt. Dan Piccola, Detective Daniel Hudspith, and Union County EMS member Brian Downing for their actions during a medical emergency at Borough Hall on June 23. Officers responded after a woman collapsed inside Borough Hall shortly before 8 a.m. Finding her unresponsive and not breathing, they joined Union County EMS in performing CPR and using an AED (automated external defibrillator), restoring her pulse before she was transported to a hospital.
For more information about the Fanwood Police Department or public safety in Fanwood, contact borough officials. Stay informed about Fanwood news and announcements on Union County Life.
FAQ
Q: Who is Dan Kranz and what is his new position?
A: Dan Kranz, a Fanwood native, was sworn in as captain of the Fanwood Police Department on July 13, 2026. He previously served as officer in charge of the department and now assumes the permanent role of captain. He has earned an MBA, graduated from the FBI National Academy, and served as an instructor with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy.
Q: How did Kranz advance through the police department?
A: Kranz was promoted twice in the last several years before becoming captain. Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker noted that he took on increasing leadership responsibilities during a period of significant change within the department. He learned under county leadership and former Fanwood police director Mike Bramhall while mentoring younger officers.
Q: What commendations were presented at the council meeting?
A: Captain Kranz presented commendations to Detective Lt. Ryan Gilmore, Sgt. Dan Piccola, Detective Daniel Hudspith, and Union County EMS member Brian Downing for their actions during a medical emergency at Borough Hall on June 23, 2026.
Q: What happened during the medical emergency on June 23?
A: A woman collapsed inside Borough Hall shortly before 8 a.m. on June 23. Officers responded and found her unresponsive and not breathing. They joined Union County EMS in performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED), restoring her pulse before she was transported to a hospital.
Q: Who administered Kranz's oath of office?
A: Mayor Colleen Mahr administered the oath of office to Dan Kranz during the Borough Council meeting on July 13, 2026.
