ABSECON – David K. Risley has been appointed acting chief of police here.
He replaces Joseph Cowan who retired effective Jan. 31.
The 23-year veteran of the Absecon Police Department said he hopes to be appointed chief following contract negotiations.
“Being chief is something I think every officer strives for,” Risley said Wednesday, Feb. 8. “I didn’t expect Chief Cowan to retire, but I am ready and prepared to take over.”
The city’s new top police officer said he got the news of his appointment while vacationing in
“I’m not planning many changes,” Risley told The Current. “I will look at the scheduling, but I don’t plan to change it.”
He said the department seems headed in the right direction as it faces steadily increasing crime rates.
Mayor Peter Elco said he feels comfortable with the choice.
The mayor appoints police chiefs with the advice and consent of City Council.
“I am extremely satisfied that
Risley began as a patrolman in the Absecon Police Department in 1990. He became a detective in 1999. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2005 and lieutenant in 2010.
Assignments have included community policing bike patrol, hostage-crisis negotiator, crime prevention officer, field training officer, neighborhood watch coordinator, supervisor of communications and records bureau, payroll and attendance officer, training coordinator, internal affairs investigator, emergency management liaison and acting chief of police during the chief’s absences.
Risley, 45, is single with no children. He lives in
He was born and raised in Absecon. His parents are Margaret E. Risley of Mays Landing and Harry J. Risley of
The new chief graduated from Absecon’s
He graduated from
Risley graduated from the
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