LACEY — The township police department honored Chief Christopher W. Kenny as he concluded more than 25 years of service, marking his retirement with a walk-out ceremony at police headquarters recently.
Kenny, a lifelong township resident and 1992 graduate of Lacey Township High School, joined the department in 2000 as a patrolman after serving as a Special Law Enforcement Officer in Beach Haven. Over the next two decades, he rose steadily through the ranks, earning promotions to sergeant in 2004, lieutenant in 2014, and ultimately chief of police in December 2022.
Throughout his career, Kenny took on a broad range of leadership responsibilities, including supervising patrol squads, overseeing communications, managing the department’s vehicle fleet, and directing traffic safety initiatives. As a lieutenant, he led multiple divisions, including Professional Standards, Training, and Internal Affairs, and served as deputy coordinator for the unit.
Kenny also contributed to regional public safety efforts as a member of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and spent nearly two decades working with the township’s Office of Emergency Management. At the time of his retirement, he held the role of Emergency Management Coordinator.
The department noted that Kenny consistently emphasized the privilege of leading the officers of Lacey Township and expressed pride in their dedication and professionalism.
During the retirement ceremony, Kenny delivered his final sign-off surrounded by family, friends, township officials and colleagues. Department leaders praised his long-standing commitment to the community.
Newly appointed Chief Paul Sullivan Jr. and Captain Samuel Della Sala joined the department in wishing Kenny well in his retirement and commending his exceptional service to Lacey Township.
