Binghamton Police Department Assistant Chief John C. Ryan has been appointed the department’s next chief.
On Dec. 19, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced in a press release that Ryan, who has served the department for 25 years, will take over the role effective Jan. 3.
Ryan was previously named acting chief in July when former Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski was placed on administrative leave July 20, pending a third-party review of his actions during an altercation involving his girlfriend in the Village of Johnson City two days prior.
Zikuski later resigned from his position effective Oct. 6, pending a review of his actions during the altercation which was recorded and subsequently went viral on social media.
An independent third-party investigation into factors surrounding the incident, launched three days after Zikuski was placed on leave, determined his conduct violated “numerous” Binghamton Police Department policies and “brought discredit” to both the city and the department.
In a release, Kraham called Ryan a “proven leader” with nearly three decades of experience.
“John’s track record as a person of integrity and professionalism, along with his years of leadership experience, make him the right person to guide the Binghamton Police Department into a new era,” Kraham said. “I’m deeply grateful for John’s work leading the department these last months during a critical time, and I look forward to working with him to continue building the best Police Department we can.”
John Ryan’s experience, police background
Ryan is a graduate of Binghamton High School and SUNY Broome, where he earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice.
He went on to join the Binghamton Police Department in 2000 following four years as a patrolman with the Vestal Police Department, according to Kraham.
With the Binghamton Police Department, Ryan’s time as a patrolman included two years as a member of the SWAT Team and two years as a field training officer.
Ryan was promoted through the ranks, holding supervisor positions in the patrol division and detective divisions and most recently he served as administrative captain and then captain of the detective division. In 2019, he was named assistant chief.
He’s currently an executive board member for New York State’s Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) Initiative and Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative. His appointment will become effective Jan. 3, according to Kraham.
In a statement, Ryan said he is “honored” to serve as the next chief.
“I care deeply about this department and the community we serve,” he said. “Our mission — to enhance the quality of life in the City of Binghamton through progressive police service in partnership with the community — is one I take seriously. I’m eager to lead the department into its next chapter, with the safety of the community and our officers front of mind.”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: John C. Ryan promoted from acting to Binghamton chief of police
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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