Franklin's Chief Kistle says goodbye

30-year career with the borough comes to a close this weekend, By Mark J. Yablonsky FRANKLIN — For over 30 years, Joseph Kistle has served the field of law enforcement in Franklin, beginning as a part-time special police officer in 1981 and culminating as the borough’s chief of police since 2003. Kistle, 50, is leaving office, effective Saturday, April 30. A lifelong resident of Sussex County, Kistle became sergeant in 2000, deputy police chief in 2002, and was then made chief the following year, without having had to serve as lieutenant. Kistle will be succeeded by Lt. Eugene Mcinerney, who will be known as “the officer in charge” for the time being. Kistle took a brief time out from his last week on the job to discuss his years of work in Franklin. Q. Is there one thing or accomplishment that stands out as your fondest memory? A. I don’t feel that it’s been one specific thing, but a combination of things. As far as my personal accomplishments, being pro-active has always been very important to me. And being active at the county, state and international level of the chiefs of police has helped keep me informed of the needs of a police department. As far as the department itself, the formation of the citizens advisory committee, the neighborhood crime watch and the multi-jurisdictional critical response unit to accommodate the needs of the public have been a very successful way of interacting with, and serving, the public. I was appointed to the international association chiefs of police patrol and tactical operations committee, and recently, I was appointed as the chair of that committee. Q. Is there one disappointment for you in your career? A. The one thing I see as a disappointment is the lack of support that law enforcement receives in general from the public. The economy does not help, but despite the economy, crime continues — and at any given day or time, someone may need the help of a law enforcement officer. Q. Describe the average day in the life of a police chief. A. It’s a never-relaxing position. As with law enforcement, you need to stay informed and educated on top of everything that you do with the need to serve the public as well as preparing your officers for the future. So you have to find a happy medium for everyone. Q. What seems different about the law enforcement field now since you first joined the force in 1981? A. The more stringent guidelines that police officers have to adhere to, starting from the (N.J.) attorney general right down to the prosecutor’s office. The attorney general, in time, has created so many guidelines. You have domestic violence guidelines, you have internal affairs guidelines, pursuit, everything. And these are things you have to adhere to without deviation. It’s definitely a changed environment for policing.” Q. As you leave office, what today is the most pressing problem facing society and law enforcement? A. I think a lot of it depends on the environment each town has. And narcotics are always a continuum as a concern, but with Franklin, I think there is such a vast diversity, and not just one thing, standing out by itself. There is such diversity in the call volume. Q. What are your plans in retirement? Is there anything about the job you’ll miss? A. The thing I’ll miss the most is helping people who are in need of assistance. That’s what I’ll miss the most. I was fortunate to be involved in the majority of our major investigations in my career here, which includes the 1997 pizza delivery murders and several others. As for my plans, I have accepted a position with a federal organization, and I’m looking forward to working in a different environment.