By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Haddonfield Sun
Longtime Chief of Police Rick Tsonis announced his retirement after serving within the Haddonfield Police Department since 1983.
The chief’s retirement will go into effect at the end of July, according to borough representatives.
Tsonis has led the 22-member department as chief for the past 10 years, Commissioner Ed Borden said.
“The chief has been very dedicated to the officers in his department and the citizens of our town. I know he’s been thinking about retirement for quite a while, and he certainly has done everything he can to smooth the transition,” Borden said. “All of us, the commissioners and everyone in town, wish him well in a new chapter of his life. “
In his stead, Borden announced that Captain John Banning, a 26-year veteran of the department, will carry out the duties of the chief for the next four months while retaining the title of captain. Sergeant Gary Pearce will serve as an acting lieutenant during the same period.
During that time the borough will consider changes in the managerial structure and training regimen of the department.
Tsonis began his career as a rookie police officer with the department in 1983.
“He’s had a long career here. I can recall when he was a police officer when my children were in high school. We’ve enjoyed his being part of our police force,” Mayor Tish Colombi said. “He worked himself up through the department. We’re happy for him that he’s retiring. We wish him well, and thank him for his years of service.”
Borden has asked a number of senior law enforcement professionals to work with him in that task and in the selection of a permanent chief: Thomas Kelly, retired Deputy Chief of Investigators in the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office; James McAleer, a retired FBI Special Agent; Francis Burke, an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Rowan University and Camden County College and a former Washington Township Chief of Police; Donna Spinosi, an attorney and former Chief of the Child Abuse Unit in the County Prosecutor’s Office; and Brian Jacobs, an attorney and former commander of the Prosecutor’s Special Prosecutions Unit.
“Each of these individuals has a wealth of experience in law enforcement and the management of law enforcement personnel,” Borden said.
“I am enormously grateful that they are willing to share their expertise, for the benefit of both the community and its public safety force.”
