By Barbara A. Preston | Posted Nov. 21, 2025
Montgomery Township's newest police officer Oksana Kopyto is a certified Humane Law Enforcement Officer (HLEO), meaning she has experience investigating and enforcing animal cruelty and welfare laws in addition to performing traditional police duties. In her free time, she also rescues homeless kittens and cats, and will likely become fast friends with the folks at SAVE Animal Shelter in Skillman—the largest shelter of its kind in the area.
Kopyto was sworn in as a probationary officer at the Montgomery Township Committee meeting on November 13.
From left: Probationary Police Officer Oksana Kopyto with Montgomery Police Chief Silvio Bet.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston
Montgomery Police Chief Silvio Bet said Kopyto is multilingual — fluent in Ukranian, Polish, and Russian. Montgomery recruited her from the East Windsor Police Department, where she served as an officer from 2022 until November, when accepted the position in Montgomery.
"She brings valuable experience and training to Montgomery, including being an experienced Humane Law Enforcement Officer," Bet said.
HLEOs enforce animal welfare and cruelty laws of the State of New Jersey under Title 4: Agriculture and Domestic Animals, Chapter 22: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Title 2C: New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. They investigate crimes against animals, rescue animals in distress, impound stray animals, and educate the public about animal care. HLEOs work with municipalities, often within local police departments, and coordinate with county prosecutors.
Kopyto hails from Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in western Ukraine. She graduated from the Mercer County Police Academy in July 2022, earned an associate's degree from Mercer County College. She now lives in Ewing.
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Kopyto has been honored with the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Award for her outstanding dedication and relentless support in deterring impaired driving on New Jersey's roads and highways. Officer Kopyto's commitment to keeping our streets safe is truly commendable, according to MADD.
