New Police Chief Takes Office in the Town of Townsend
Date Posted: Tuesday, November 16th, 2021
After extensive review, the Town of Townsend is pleased to announce it has hired Mr. Robert J. Longo as the Chief of Police. Chief Longo began his duties on November 1, 2021, and is working to build a community based and efficient public safety program for the Town.
Chief Longo brings with him an extensive career in law enforcement. His experience in municipal policing includes grant writing, developing budgets and building community based policies and procedures. He is an advocate for pro-active community policing and engaging the community to ensure safe neighborhoods.
“We are very pleased and fortunate to have found such a highly qualified professional as Chief Longo. We are confident he will build a public safety team with the right balance of professionalism and community centered policing”, said Townsend Mayor Patrick Miller.
Chief Longo has prior military experience, having served in the Army National Guard. Throughout his career he has received numerous awards, and commendations for his professionalism, leadership, and integrity.
“Townsend is a great and growing community, and the Town Council and administration have done wonderful things to build a resilient community” Longo said. “The closeness of the community will allow me to continue to focus on community engagement and service.”
He began his law enforcement career as a dispatcher in New Jersey, followed by work that included detention and corrections, gang intelligence and the U.S. Department of Defense. Chief Longo has also served as Police Chief in two communities, Milton and Bridgeville in Delaware before returning to school.
Chief Longo is the first Townsend Police Officer in over three decades to serve the residents of Townsend. Currently, the Delaware State Police provides law enforcement assistance as needed and will continue to do so. In addition, the Town of Townsend has paid for extra duty patrols in Town and to be present at special events. Delaware State Police will continue to support and assist the Townsend Police Department going forward.
Plans are under way to have a community swearing in ceremony in the near future.
