MAYOR ZIMMER APPOINTS PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR AND ACTING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR
Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced today that she is appointing Jon L. Tooke as Director of Public Safety and Leslie Shenkler as acting Director of Environmental Services.
“So many people deserve recognition for the response to Hurricane Irene, but I want to thank Jon Tooke, who I am appointing Director of Public Safety,” said Mayor Zimmer. “Jon wasn’t scheduled to begin for a few weeks, but he answered the call to help when we needed it most. He caught a flight back from Washington so he could start working on Saturday just as Irene was about to hit, and I think he has done an excellent job so far at keeping our community safe. It is extremely important that we effectively integrate emergency services between Police, Fire, EMS and OEM in a way that maximizes efficiency and public safety, and Jon has the background and experience to make that happen.”
“Jon is a true professional who will bring to Hoboken nearly 30 years experience in the Jersey Police Department, which he helped modernize through professional development and the implementation of technologies like COMPSTAT,” added Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “As Patrol Bureau Commander, he ran the largest bureau in the JCPD and was responsible for staffing and deploying more than 600 employees with a focus on professionalism, service to the community and efficiency. He has more than 20 years experience as a law enforcement instructor, including an FBI-run training program for police leadership and management.”
Mr. Tooke has a Masters in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University, and his professional development includes the West Point Command and Leadership School, FBI National Academy, DEA Drug Unit Commander Academy and FBI Leadership Fellows Program. He served in the Jersey City Police Department from 1979 to 2008 as City Captain, West District Commander and Patrol Bureau Commander, among other roles. He has since served as an FBI-LEEDA National Training Coordinator.
“I am also announcing that I am appointing Leslie Shenkler as acting Director of Environmental Services,” said Mayor Zimmer. “I thank him for joining our team and leading the cleanup effort after this storm.”
Mr. Shenkler, a veteran who served in the US Army Corps of Engineer, has 10 years of experience serving as Borough Administrator for the Boroughs of Rutherford and Allendale and previously served as Director of the General Services Division for Bergen County for 10 years. He is a registered architect, professional planner, and IMFA Certified Facility Manager.
The confirmation of the appointment of Director Tooke will be on the agenda at the next City Council meeting.
