ABSECON – Police Chief Joseph Cowan is retiring; Tuesday, Jan. 31 will be his last day.

Hired in January 1987, Cowan has served in the Absecon Police Department 25 years.

His assignments included being a patrol officer on all shifts, and detective and sergeant prior to being promoted to chief in August 2008.

Other assignments have included stints with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Task Force and the Atlantic County Emergency Response Team.

“I am proud to have served this great community for so many years,” Cowan said in a statement Wednesday, Jan. 25. “I am now ready to open the next chapter of my life. This is an exciting time for me, my family, and – equally important – the Absecon Police Department.”

He said there is a revived sense of enthusiasm and energy at all levels of the organization as the department awaits the appointment of a new chief.

“Change is good for the agency,” Cowan said. “I encourage each member to embrace the changes.”

He told The Current Thursday, Jan. 26 that he has received many commendations, awards and citations for a variety of situations and circumstances. The honors have come from City Council and civilian and professional organizations.

“At this point I have not committed to any specific future plans, but I do have several irons in the fire. Some are police related and some hobby related,” Cowan said. “My first priority is tackling the project list my wife has planned.”

The chief is an avid boater and holds a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license.

Other hobbies are photography and traveling with his wife, Karen, and their two Jack Russell terriers.

When Cowan was sworn in July 10, 2008 he became the city’s third acting police chief that month. Retiring Chief Charles Smith was replaced by Lt. Dean Loveland, who resigned after two days and was replaced by Lt. Ronald Faisst, who was scheduled to leave days later on a long-planned vacation.

Cowan said at the time that his immediate goals were to establish stability in the department and assure the citizenry that public safety was being protected.

“We’re hoping to steady the waters and move forward,” Cowan said after being sworn in by Mayor Peter Elco, whose appointment of Cowan received unanimous approval from City Council.

Elco said Thursday that Cowan was successful both in his early and ongoing efforts.

“For over two decades, Police Officer Joseph Cowan served the city of Absecon in a most professional manner,” Elco said. “His serious approach to duties assigned to him enhanced the quality of life for those he protected. As Absecon's police chief for the past three years, Joe Cowan continually contributed to the technical and functional requirements of his leadership position.”

The mayor praised the chief’s management skills.

“He sufficiently directed the work of others, set goals and expectations, and provided the required supervision to complete the job,” Elco said in an email.

Cowan improved department morale and brought to the department knowledge gained through interacting with peers at the local, regional and national levels, the mayor said, adding that he was a “man of character, steadfast commitment, dependability, honesty, and loyalty.”

“Undeniably, he made a significant difference to his beloved hometown of Absecon. For this, I and others will be forever grateful,” the mayor said.

City Administrator Terry Dolan listed his interaction with the chief as positive.

“I have enjoyed working with Chief Cowan these past several years and wish him all the best in retirement,” Dolan said Thursday.

Elco, looking forward, said Lt. David Risely and Lt. Matthew Ward meet the requirements to be police chief.

“Both gentlemen have expressed and interest in achieving this goal,” the mayor said. “The process has begun. Their updated and complete resumes have been received.”

Elco said he has interviewed both men and intends further review and evaluation.

“The process will be quantitative and qualitative,” Elco said. “Once this process has concluded, I will advance the name of my chosen appointment to the governing body.”

Cowan, 47, lives in Egg Harbor Township but was born and raised in Absecon, where he was the youngest of four siblings.

He said he always knew he wanted to be involved in law enforcement. Cowan said he has spent many years as a volunteer, on the ambulance squad and in the fire department.

He earned his master of criminal justice degree from Boston University in 2009.

He is a member of the Atlantic County Association of Chiefs of Police, Atlantic County Police Firearms Training Advisory Board, Atlantic County Police Training Committee, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Cowan is treasurer of the Atlantic County Fire and Arson Investigators Association and a peer counselor-team leader and trustee of the New Jersey Critical Incident Stress Management Team.