New Public Safety Director Is 'Excited' to Begin Post

Michael P. King said he’s “really excited” to take on his new post as public safety director here in Cinnaminson.

King was selected at Monday night’s committee meeting to lead the police department by a 3-1 vote.

Mayor Kathy Fitzpatrick called King, of Mercerville, a “recognized authority on community policing methods.”

King retired in 2007 as the chief of detectives for the county prosecutor’s office.

Read more about his career history .

Stephen Fazekas, vice president of the Burlington County Chiefs of Police Association, submitted a letter of endorsement to the township on behalf of King. It read the group has “complete confidence” in King to “develop and mentor the next chief of police for your police department.”

King said Monday night he will lead the department in training and leadership skills over the next year or two to cultivate a police chief, a position the township expressed an interest in returning to.

Fitzpatrick said the township decided to go the way of a public safety director since left no one at the local level with enough experience to take the civil service test to become chief.

“I want to focus on the positive,” King said, and already met with some of the officers.

Lt. Tim Young, who is currently in the top spot of the following April retirement, said King will not have a problem fitting in with the police department here.

“He is well-respected in the law enforcement community,” Young said, “and I respect him personally.”

Fitpatrick and Committeeman John Rooney, liaison to the police department, both sat on the committee to interview public safety director candidates. Rooney was absent from Monday's meeting. Fitzpatrick, Deputy Mayor Don Brauckmann and Committeeman Anthony Minniti all voted to hire King.

Committeeman Ben Young voted no, and during committee comments, congratulated King on his appointment and said his "no" vote has "nothing to do with [him] personally."

King will start his post on June 28. His salary is $80,000 with no benefits.