Crime & Safety
Captain to Run Police; Hopatcong Seeks Chief
Robert Brennan to take over top duties until council names John Swanson's replacement.
Capt. Robert Brennan will run the Hopatcong Police Department while it searches for its new chief, Borough Administrator Bob Elia confirmed Tuesday.
John Swanson Jan. 1, but will leave his post Wednesday to use up vacation time. Swanson spent 26 years in the department, the last nine as chief.
Brennan, who will become the department's highest-ranking officer, wasn't immediately available for comment Tuesday.
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Elia said its common for a department's highest-ranking officer to assume chief duties until a replacement is found. He also said the borough council hasn't indicated when it will name the department's next chief.
"[Brennan] become the senior officer when the police chief's out," Elia said. "The captain's always the next in line and everyone reports to the captain anyway."
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Swanson's retirement is the third of the year for the department, following Capt. Willaim Rehe and Detective Lawrence Shavers. Brennan was promoted from lieutenant to captain after Rehe's retirement.
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