Executive Undersheriff Robert Dawson

Undersheriff Robert Dawson oversees the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Division, which includes the Office of Emergency Management, Police Academy, Fire Marshal's Office, the Situational Training And Response Simulator (STARS) facility, Information Technology, and the EMS/MedStar Division.

Robert has a wealth of experience in law enforcement, having served as Chief of Police in Spring Lake from 1996 until 2012. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a Certified Public Manager, a Certified New Jersey Law Enforcement Executive, past president of the Monmouth County Police Chief's Association, and a member of the International Association of Police Chiefs.

Scott R. Nielsen

Scott R. Nielsen serves as the Coordinator of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office - Office of Emergency Management (OEM), where he is responsible for coordinating countywide preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts across Monmouth County's 53 municipalities. In this role, he works closely with local, county, state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to strengthen community resilience and ensure a coordinated response to emergencies and disasters.

Scott began his public safety career in Emergency Medical Services in 1997 and has dedicated nearly three decades to serving the residents of Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. He joined Monmouth County government in 2002 in the 9-1-1 Communications Center before transitioning to the Office of Emergency Management, where he has held progressively responsible leadership positions. He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a New Jersey Certified Emergency Manager (NJCEM), and serves as a Commissioner and reviewer for the New Jersey Certified Emergency Manager Program.

Under Scott's leadership, Monmouth County OEM became the first county emergency management agency in New Jersey to achieve accreditation through the Emergency Management Association of New Jersey (EMANJ). He has led numerous innovative initiatives, including the implementation of the Monmouth County Emergency Vulnerability and Assistance Coordination System (E.V.A.C.S.), expansion of countywide public alert and warning capabilities through IPAWS, enhancement of flood warning technologies, development of reunification and sheltering programs, and growth of the Monmouth County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.

Scott also serves as Central Vice President of the New Jersey County Coordinators Association and remains actively involved in advancing emergency management throughout New Jersey. His career has been built on collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to protecting the residents, visitors, and businesses of Monmouth County through all phases of emergency management.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Scott remains committed to mentoring future emergency managers, supporting volunteer public safety organizations, and promoting community preparedness through education, training, and outreach initiatives.