Mayor Kelly Yaede has selected Hamilton Township Police Captain James M. Stevens to serve as the community’s next police chief.
Stevens, a graduate of the FBI’s executive command leadership academy, will succeed retiring police chief James W. Collins, who has served as Hamilton’s chief since 2002.
For over 33 years, Stevens has served in various capacities, such as the police captain of criminal investigations, as Hamilton’s counter terrorism coordinator, as the division’s first public information officer, as the township’s S.W.A.T. (special weapons and tactics) commander and as Hamilton’s school safety liaison officer.
“Not only does captain Stevens possess an impressive background in areas critical to public safety, such as in criminal investigations, counter terrorism and school safety; he has also been an effective leader when it comes to transparency and communication with our law-abiding citizens,” Yaede said in a statement. “Additionally, captain Stevens shares my same priorities when it comes to maintaining and enhancing public safety in Hamilton Township.”
Stevens has identified three priorities that he plans to focus upon as Hamilton’s next Chief of Police:
Further improving school safety and security measures in collaboration with existing law enforcement and first responder partnersExpanding the invaluable partnership between the police and law-abiding citizens through expanded social media outreach that focuses on reducing crimeImproving crime analysis capabilities through the use of real time intelligence gathering and the police division’s recently enhanced technological platforms
“I am honored by the confidence that Mayor Yaede has placed in me to serve the law abiding citizens of our community as their next Police Chief,” Stevens said. “I look forward to continue working with Mayor Yaede in this new capacity so that we can continue to maintain what our entire community desires: a safe Hamilton Township for all of our families, neighbors and loved ones.”
Stevens will be officially sworn in as police chief on June 1.
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