CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) -- A change in leadership is coming to the Camden County Police Department. Chief Joe Wysocki is stepping down.
Wysocki planned to stick around as chief for several years, but he was presented with a private-sector job offer from a company in Connecticut, and he says taking it is the best decision for his family.
"I really believe this is what I'm supposed to do for the next chapter of my life," he said.
Wysocki acknowledges that 2020 has been an especially difficult year. However, as tensions between the public and the police reached boiling points in some parts of the country, it has been relatively quiet in Camden.
He says he is encouraged by the work of the department, and he thinks the police force will be in good hands with Capt. Gabriel Rodriguez.
"It's something that's always been a goal of mine, because the higher you go, the more impactful you are," Rodriguez said. "This is a city I'm born and raised in. It's a city I care deeply about."
Rodriguez says he wants to better educate the public about what police do, adding he is counting on strong relationships formed with community leaders to constantly improve public trust.
"I'm hoping to build upon those, but I also want those community members and those residents to understand when they see police officers doing certain things, that they understand the why behind it," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez will be elevated to chief on Jan. 1.
