Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office ends oversight of Franklin Township Police Department after leadership changes

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has formally concluded its supersession of the Franklin Township Police Department following leadership changes within the agency, prosecutors announced.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said the county’s oversight of the department has ended after the township appointed new leadership and implemented structural changes within the police department.

“The purpose of the supersession was to ensure stability, accountability, and continuity of police operations within Franklin Township,” Robeson said. “With the Township’s recent actions and new leadership structure in place, the conditions that necessitated county oversight have been resolved.”

The Franklin Township governing body recently hired John Insabella as police director. Township officials are also expected to designate an officer-in-charge to oversee daily police operations.

“With the appointment of Police Director Insabella and the forthcoming selection of an OIC, the Franklin Township Police Department is positioned to move forward effectively and confidently,” Robeson added. “We appreciate the cooperation of Township officials and the department’s personnel throughout this process.”

The Prosecutor’s Office said a monitoring period will remain in place to help ensure reforms and operational improvements implemented during the supersession continue under local leadership.

The county assumed control of the police department in August 2025 following a double homicide investigation involving the deaths of Lauren Semanchik, 33, of Pittstown, and Tyler Webb, 29, of Forked River.

Authorities said Franklin Township police officers responded Aug. 2, 2025, to a residence on Upper Kingtown Road after receiving a 911 call reporting an unconscious woman. Officers discovered Semanchik and Webb dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Investigators later identified Ricardo Jorge Santos, a sergeant first class with the New Jersey State Police and Semanchik’s former boyfriend, as a suspect in the killings. Santos was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Middlesex County, authorities said.

Following the investigation, Robeson announced the Prosecutor’s Office had determined that oversight of the Franklin Township Police Department was “immediately necessary.” The county then assumed operational control of the agency, while Franklin Township Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Sgt. Kevin Bollaro were placed on administrative leave by township officials.

The Prosecutor’s Office said it will continue assisting Franklin Township during the transition back to local administration as needed.