By ROBERT LINNEHAN
Police Chief John Banning has some fans at the commissioner level. The commissioners unanimously approved a deal earlier this week to extend the chief’s expiring contract for three more years.
Banning will have his contract extended from August 1, 2011, through July 31, 2014. Currently, Banning makes about $113,000 as police chief. His contract calls for a raise up to $118,000 on August 1, 2011, and then another bump up to $119,000 on January 1, 2012.
“I speak for all of us when we say we’re delighted with his service. He’s a great leader for the department,” Commissioner Ed Borden said.
Banning took over for former Police Chief Rick Tsonis in December of 2009. Tsonis announced his retirement in early August of 2009.
Banning began his career in the department in 1983 and was promoted to Senior Patrol Officer in 1988. In 2000 Banning reached his former ranking as Captain.
In addition to training at the State Police Academy, Banning has studied at Camden County College, Glassboro State College, and Thomas Edison State College. He has completed six levels of the N.J. Department of Personnel’s certified public manager program, and various management and executive courses offered by the N.J. State Association of Chiefs of Police, the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
