A familiar face may take a new place in the Mercer Police Department in September, while another familiar face plans to retire.

Police Chief Frank Detelich will retire Sept. 15 after almost 33 years with the department. Council approved his retirement and the promotion of acting Chief Dave Fockler, pending a contract agreement and approval by solicitor Robert Kochems.

"I've only been on the council four years, and in that time he has been an exemplary chief and officer and all I can do is wish him well," said Councilman Frank Lord. "He's reached the point where he feels he's ready and we did that at his request. He's been there plenty long enough to retire."

Detelich, 55, of Mercer, joined the force in 1970, according to borough secretary Debbie Scruci.

"It's sad to see Chief Detelich go," Mercer Mayor Chris Portman said. "He's an asset to the department and a good personal friend of mine. But on the other hand, it's nice to see Dave Fockler, whom I've known awhile, move up. He's active with the children of the community through the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program and I think he'll offer a lot to the department."

Council agreed unanimously to pay his medical coverage until he is eligible for Medicare in seven years at a cost of $700 annually, Ms. Scruci said. He will also be paid for accrued personal days, vacation days and holidays, though the amount was not available because Detelich is using up some of those days until his retirement date. He will not collect money for his accrued sick days, according to Ms. Scruci.

"There's a vast savings for the borough in this agreement we've made with Frank," said council President John G. "Jerry" Johnson, adding that Detelich has "done a good job. I think first and foremost he has always had Mercer in mind, was fair to everyone and always carried out his duties as chief of police."

Detelich's salary is $43,617. Fockler makes $16.53 an hour.

Since Fockler's appointment is pending, Lord and Johnson didn't want to discuss council's decision to have him succeed Detelich. "He's being considered, yes. He's a good officer as well," Johnson said.

A West Middlesex resident, Fockler, 42, said he feels that Detelich's work with the department will make it easier to run if he is approved as chief in September.

"Chief Detelich left me with a good department and there aren't a whole lot of changes that have to be made," said the 12-year member of the force.

"The only thing that I've really discussed with the chief and the council is increasing the police department's involvement with the community and vice versa. I've got a few ideas, but I'm not getting too far ahead," Fockler said, adding he'd like to see police use the computer more when doing their reports.

Fockler and his wife, Debra, have three children. He is the department's D.A.R.E. officer and did drug and alcohol task force work for the department.

Not counting Detelich, there are four full-timers and two part-timers in the department. Council is exploring hiring options to keep the department fully staffed.

"I think we've been fortunate to have him for these years," Johnson said of Detelich. "He's done a very good job and of course he'll be missed."

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