Lifelong Cherry Hill Resident Is The New Police Chief

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The new Cherry Hill Police Chief has spent his whole life in the township, including 22 years as an officer in the police department.

Robert Kempf is the new Cherry Hill Police Chief effective immediately, and will formally be appointed to the post by resolution at the next Cherry Hill Council meeting in January, Mayor Susan Shin Angulo and Council President David Fleisher announced.

“Acting Chief Kempf embodies the best of our world-class police department. He is a dedicated public servant, a forward-thinking leader and deeply engaged member of the Cherry Hill community,” Shin Angulo said. “I know our police department will continue to be a model for excellence, and will exceed the highest standards in policing under his direction.”

As chief, Kempf will oversee a staff of about 170 employees, including 134 full-time sworn law enforcement officers, as well as six special law enforcement officers and 11 dispatchers, as well as administrative staff and records personnel. The department averages over 120,000 calls for service per year and covers 24.1 square miles, representing a population of roughly 75,000.

Most recently, Kempf has served as a lieutenant in the professional standards and training department, the Director of Training and Special Operations Group Commander. He joined the Cherry Hill Police Department in November 1998 as a patrol officer, before becoming a detective in the cyber crime unit in 2011. He has also served as a sergeant and lieutenant in the patrol division, as well as a detective sergeant in the investigative division.

“Township Council and I have the utmost confidence in Acting Chief Kempf. His decades of experience, educational background and dedication to our community make him an excellent fit for the role,” Fleisher said. “We look forward to working with him, and extend our gratitude to Capt. Larry Robb for his hard work and stewardship over these past few months. I’d also like to thank Councilwoman Carole Roskoph, Councilwoman Sangeeta Doshi and Councilman Bill Carter for their participation in the rigorous interview process.”

Robb has served as Acting Chief since William “Bud” Monaghan retired from the role in September. Kempf was chosen after an extensive application and interview process that has taken place over the past several months, according to officials.

“I am honored and humbled to assume command of the Cherry Hill Police Department. As a lifelong resident of Cherry Hill, this is the honor of a lifetime,” Kempf said. “This police department is the best in New Jersey and I look forward to leading the men and women into the future. I am confident we will work together to provide continued exceptional service to the residents of Cherry Hill.”

Kempf graduated from Cherry Hill High School West in 1990. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in management from Rutgers University in 1995, a masters of business administration from Rutgers University School of Business in 2001 and a juris doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law in 2010.

He is also a 2017 graduate of the FBI National Academy, and earned a graduate certificate of achievement from the University of Virginia. He lives on the West side of Cherry Hill with his wife Christine, son Robbie and daughters Alexandra and Charlotte.