After 40 years with the Hanover Police, police chief Nicholas Giaccone is retiring on Oct. 1, prompting the town of Hanover to begin a search for his successor. Giaccone's 19 years as chief was interrupted when he suffered a stroke in February.
Giaccone will be on medical leave until his retirement takes effect, though he will remain a member of the police department, police captain and acting chief Frank Moran said. In Giaccone's absence, Hanover Police has focused on maintaining regular operations and the captains and detectives have shouldered additional duties to ease the transition.
"We are still in the process of trying to stabilize since February," Moran said. "It's been tumultuous with the chief's stroke, as we are trying to continue operations according to our standards."
Hanover will employ an executive search firm as it begins a national search and aims to select a chief within four to five months. The search will focus on candidates with experience working in college towns.
"We're looking for someone who really understands the cultures and issues that challenge a college or university," town manager Julia Griffin said. "Someone who has an appreciation for the positive role police can play in that community response."
Once the search firm narrows down the list to around 10 people, the candidates will be interviewed by a committee that includes Griffin and other departmental staff, and another that comprises of community leaders and the President's Office.
Moran said that he anticipates a productive relationship between the Hanover Police and College President Phil Hanlon, who met with the police department and the county attorney two weeks ago.
"The president has made himself available throughout the community and has been very open to working with us and very receptive to our needs," Moran said. "For us, this was a great opportunity to get a first look at what he's working on and what his goals may be and what we can do to help."
Although Giaccone had been eligible to retire with full pension benefits for several years, he said he is "not in a celebratory mood," the Valley News reported last Thursday.
While Giaccone has largely recovered from his stroke, he suffers from lingering weakness in his left hand. Giaccone had not expressed interest in retiring prior to his stroke and was enthusiasitc about working with the department's new recruitsd.
"Nick has a very organic sense of what makes the College community tick, what issues you tend to encounter, what the current trends and risks are and what's effective and what isn't," Griffin said.
Griffin attributed Giaccone's career success to his long relationship with the College and the town of Hanover. Prior to joining the police force, Giaccone delivered beer for Stinson's Village Store.
"It's rare when you have a law enforcement official like Nick that stays that period of time in the same community and can look back on the changes and mark the changes," Griffin said. "His whole career has been here, spanning critical events that have shaped the College's identity."
Hanover Fire Department chief Roger Bradley also recently announced his retirement, effective Oct. 31. Bradley spent his career in Hanover and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Giaccone did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
