Published: November 26, 2008 09:49 pm      

Logansport police chief retires

Rozzi ends 20 years on the department

Logansport police chief retires

Rozzi ends 20 years on the department

By KEVIN SMITH

Pharos-Tribune staff writer

“It is the right time,” was the assessment given by Logansport Police Chief Randy Rozzi as he officially announced his retirement from the department at Wednesday’s board of works meeting.

Rozzi has served LPD for 20 years, including the past five as chief, and will be replaced by his assistant, A.J. Rozzi, a 25-year veteran of the department.

Lt. Mike Morphet, a 15-year veteran will replace A.J. Rozzi as assistant chief, with 1st Sgt. Carl Swan filling Morphet’s position on the third shift. The changes will be effective Jan. 1.

“I am 52 years old, and I was eligible for my pension and I decided to exercise that right,” Rozzi said. “The right opportunity was there to move on, and it might not be there another two to three years down the road.”

Rozzi plans to take a full-time position with the Cass/Pulaski Community Correction Center, where he has held a part-time position for 10 years. He will work his last day with the department on Dec. 24, but accrued overtime and vacation will keep him on the payroll through April 27.

Mayor Mike Fincher paid tribute to Rozzi after the chief’s public announcement.

“He’s raised the bar,” Fincher said. “I believe that the Logansport Police Department is now one of the best department’s in the state, and I am very confident A.J. and Mike can take it to a higher level. We wish you all the best for the future.”

Rozzi said the biggest change he had experienced during his time as an officer were the changes in technology and the investments the department had to make to keep up.

“Things have changed a lot,” he said. “Twenty years ago you would patrol and know everybody on the street. It’s a lot different now, and crime is a lot more severe, too.”

A.J. Rozzie said he was looking forward to making the step up and would strive to meet two goals — to keep officers and the people of the community safe.

“It’s the top position in the department,” he said. “It’s what you strive to achieve your whole career. It has been a privilege to work with Chief Randy Rozzi. As his assistant, I have been with the chief the whole time, and I know what he does. I look forward to continuing the department’s good work.”

Kevin Smith can be contacted at (574) 732-5148 or via e-mail at kevin.smith@pharostribune.com