Asbury Park Police Chief Mark Kinmon [shown above] has informed members of the Asbury Park City Council he will withdraw his decision to retire.
“I recieved a phone call last night between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., I know he called two other council people so I believe he informed all five members,” said Mayor Myra Campbell. “He’s indicated he wants to stay and can stay as long as he would like to — a chief of police appointment is a position that lasts for a lifetime.”
Kinmon informed the Sun in June his last official day on the job would have been Dec. 31, but he had planned to use an accumulation of about three months worth of leave time put his last day at the end of September. At that time, Captain David Kelso was to take over as deputy chief starting Oct. 1.
Mayor Campbell said she was surprised by Kinmon’s decision. “Absolutely,” she said. Campbell had hoped “to get some fresh, new ideas and innovative programming” in the city.
“He was never asked to leave by anyone, he made a decision on his own to retire,” she said.
“I think it’s a very good thing for the city,” said Councilwoman Sue Henderson. “I think in this time of reorganization, with three new council people, a city manager leaving and we need a CFO, there is a lot going on. I think it’s one less thing we have to worry about right now.”
“I’m glad he decided to do so,” said Councilman John Loffredo.
“The city is going through a huge transition, evaluating candidates for city manager and chief finance officer,” said Councilwoman Amy Quinn. “Personally, I’m happy Mark is staying on while we are going through this process. It will provide some stability to the city.”
Councilman John Moor declined to comment, saying it is a personnel issue at this time.
The terms of Kinmon’s contract will have to be renegotiated in December when his current contract expires, according to Campbell.
As to whether Kinmon’s announcement would be beneficial to the city, Campbell said it is largely dependent on the public’s viewpoint.
“It depends on how the public views whether they are being protected and served,” she said. “I’m sure there will be people that are pleased and people that won’t be.”
Originally from Howell, Kinmon joined the county sheriff’s department when he was 20 years old. After two years with the sheriff, he transferred to Asbury Park in March of 1990 as a patrol officer and became chief of police in March of 2007.
Kinmon was unable to be reached for comment.
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