I highlighted names you want to remember, because I could not
say it better than Ed.
"I think it's the leadership we need," Councilman Ed
Johnson said. "They have great reputations, and both are respected in the
community and in the department. This will add quite a bit to the
city."
Asbury Park swears in new police officials
Replacing deputy chief, inspector
BY
NANCY SHIELDSCOASTAL
MONMOUTH BUREAU
ASBURY PARK — Mark
Kinmon and Chris Van Buren were sworn in Monday as the
new Police Deputy Chief and Inspector, respectively, a move
city officials say will help unite the Police Department and provide crucial
leadership to improve safety and the quality of life for Asbury Park's 17,000
residents.
Kinmon, 38, who has worked his way up through the ranks since
he joined the department in March 1990, is running the department as
Public Safety Director Louis Jordan uses up his vacation days
and officially leaves Dec. 31.
Although City Manager Terence Reidy
continues his search for a new police director, Reidy and the City Council
appear to want a police chief. Kinmon's promotion to the second-in-command at
this juncture makes him the lead candidate for the chief's job.
"My goal
is to bring stability and pride back to this agency," Kinmon said after being
sworn in. "My belief is this community and city government deserve a
professional, courteous and diverse police force that is capable of providing
services that are expected of us — especially with a growing community and
redevelopment.
"That's what I intend to deliver, and anything short of
that I would consider a failure, and I do not intend to fail."
Reidy told
Jordan in the summer that he did not plan to renew Jordan's contract at the end
of the year. Jordan, who was hired in 2002, lost the support of many of the
officers in the 80-plus-member police force, in part because of his management
style. By earlier this year, Jordan lost Reidy's support after Jordan would not
let Reidy coach him in helping unite the department.
Van Buren, 47 of
Point Pleasant, who joined the department in 1992, said, "My heart is really in
this job. This is about the men and women of the Police Department and the
residents of the city of Asbury Park. I took the oath and mean it
sincerely."
Kinmon will earn $104,000 a year. Van Buren's new salary was
undisclosed Monday.
"This is one of the most positive things I've seen
after what's happened over the years," said Sgt. Mike Jacobs,
one of many police officers and county law authorities who filled the City
Council chambers for the 12:30 p.m. swearing-in by Municipal Judge Mark
T. Apostolou.
Kinmon, who lives in Howell, stood for his
swearing-in with his wife, Karen, and their 16-year-old son, Craig. Van Buren's
wife, Reenie, stood with him.
Kinmon and Van Buren "are competent, caring
people, respected by the entire department and the community," Reidy said. "They
have what is needed to unite this department and provide a new vision, a higher
level of accountability and effectiveness in addressing the issues that affect
us."
Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin said he
had made a point to be there Monday for the swearing-in.
"Congratulations
to these two men who have earned this promotion and lead an exemplary life in
law enforcement," he said. "We want to work with you to make sure justice is
served."
Kinmon is replacing Gilbert Reed, Jordan's right-hand
man who was the acting deputy chief pending the outcome of a test for
the job. Kinmon had been the acting inspector for the past year, and Van Buren
was a lieutenant on the force.
In choosing Kinmon to replace Reed, Reidy
stayed clear of those who had been fighting Jordan publicly. One of those
people, Capt. Anthony Salerno, was the top scorer on the test and had
made it known that he would like to be police chief.
The
top three scorers on the deputy chief test were Salerno, Kinmon and Reed, Reidy
said. The top scorers on the test for inspector were Salerno; Rocco Santorsola,
who has since left to work for the county Prosecutor's Office; Capt. Thomas
McDonald; Van Buren; and Lt. David Kelso.
Reidy publicly thanked
Reed.
"Even though I didn't select Gilbert (Reed), he came and offered to
support the transition. That speaks volumes," Reidy said.
"I'm a little
disappointed that in 30 odd years (on the force), I didn't get it," said Reed,
59.
He said retirement is one option he is considering.
"Whatever
happens, I still love this Police Department," Reed said.
"New blood, new
ideas, hopefully a new direction," Deputy Mayor Jim Bruno said.
"I think it's the leadership we need," Councilman Ed Johnson said. "They have
great reputations, and both are respected in the community and in the
department. This will add quite a bit to the
city."
