Command/HQ

New Pa. Police Chief to Renew Focus on Community Policing

Jan. 13, 2025

Newly installed Phillipsburg Police Chief James McDonald told town officials that he wanted the department to emphasize the development of its leadership, accountability and community engagement in the new year.

By Glenn Epps

Source The Express-Times

Members of the Phillipsburg, PA, Police Department Honor Guard present the colors at the Warren County Emergency Services and 9/11 Memorial in 2021.

New leadership will usher in new vision and new focuses for the Phillipsburg Police Department, its top cop told town council last week.

Phillipsburg police Chief James McDonald announced the police department will renew its focus on community engagement and policing. McDonald promised that either he or a representative of the police department would be present at each meeting moving forward.

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“We will represent at every meeting. In my absence, one of the captains will be here,” he said. “We want to hear your concerns and we welcome them.”

Police officers are already stationed at each regular town meeting, with officers typically rotating every several weeks or so. Residents attending town meeting attendees are required to undergo a search and seizure protocol before entering the public meeting.

The police department’s upper brass has not regularly attended the meetings.

McDonald said the department would emphasize development of its leadership, accountability and community engagement in the new year. He was joined by captains Anthony Goodell and John Mazko.

McDonald became police chief after former Chief of Police Robert Stettner announced his intention to retire in December 2024, effective Jan. 1.

Stettner was named acting chief of police in 2016.

The transition in 2025 marked “the end of an important chapter for the Phillipsburg Police Department,” a representative for the police department told lehighvalleylive.com.

Capt. John Franceschino and Lt. Douglas Baylor also retired.

Lt. Anthony Goodell was promoted to captain, where he will oversee the daily operations of the Patrol Division. Sgt. Brad Kisselbach was promoted to the rank of lieutenant within the Patrol Division.

Officers Christopher Mecca and Steven Fielding were promoted to sergeant within the Patrol Division.

“I’ve lived in this community. I love this community. I love this town, it’s very passionate and … our men and woman are dedicated to your service,” said Capt. McDonald.

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