ICYMI: Mendham's Top Cop To Retire; Mayor Considers Shared Police Department

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MENDHAM, N.J. – After 27 years of service to the community, Pasquale Libertino is calling it a career.

The Mendham Borough Police Chief will retire from his position in January 2017, Mayor Neil Henry announced Tuesday morning.

“The Chief has given Mendham Borough nearly three decades of law enforcement service as a patrolman, sergeant, and Chief of Police and on behalf of the Borough and all our residents, I want to thank him for his service,” Henry said.

Libertino was sworn in as chief in July of 2012.

Between now and his retirement date, the department will be transitioning and in search of its future chief. That change, however, could be drastic.

“The impending change in leadership in the Mendham Borough Police Department provides an opportunity for the Mayor and Council to re-examine how our police force is organized and works,” said Henry. “We intend to use this opportunity to build on the success of our Police Department but also to consider whether we could enhance our public safety protection by sharing resources and services with other municipalities which includes the possible sharing of police leadership or even combining our police force with a neighboring community.”

Henry emphasized that he wants Borough residents to play a major part in the re-evaluation of the Police Department as it is one of the most important public services in town and also the single largest portion of the municipal budget.

“I urge all interested Borough residents to share their views on how they see the future of our police department by participating in the review process and providing input to all elected officials,” Henry said.