Capt. Jacqueline Luthcke To Take Over As Ridgewood Police Chief Friday

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Capt. Jacqueline Luthcke will be sworn in as the village's next chief of police Friday.

Luthcke replaces Chief John Ward, who is retiring that same day.

Luthcke started with the department in 1996 as a patrol officer. She oversaw the department's property-evidence department and was given assignments in the community policing and detective bureaus.

She was promoted to sergeant in 2005. After her promotion to lieutenant in 2008 she supervised the night shift and oversaw the department's accreditation process.

Luthcke was promoted to captain in 2010 and was put in charge of all patrol and administrative functions.

"Jacqueline has had a distinguished career and has impressive credentials," said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld. "I am absolutely confident and certain that she will make an excellent chief and that our community will be well served."

She received the Distinguished Leadership Award by the New Jersey Public Safety Accreditation Coalition, and served as its president.

Luthcke has a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminology from Ohio University. She finished the West Point Command and Leadership program at the top of her class.

She is also actively involved in many local organizations, including the Community Alliance, Interfaith Ministry, and the Community Relations Advisory Board.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn will swear in Luthcke in Friday at 9 a.m. at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The graduating class of the Junior Police Academy will attend the ceremony.

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