As a result of the impending retirement of our current Chief of Police, Gregory Thomas, I had the responsibility as well as the privilege of choosing between two outstanding candidates to fill this position and provide the department with excellent leadership into the future. Both candidates demonstrated the experience, professionalism, and commitment necessary to lead Darien’s outstanding police force. As a result, my final decision was a difficult one.
After careful consideration, I decided to recommend Deputy Chief John Austin Jump to serve as our next Police Chief. I am confident that his experience, leadership, and commitment to the City of Darien will position him to build upon the strong foundation that already exists within our police department.
Following the advice and consent of the Darien City Council, Deputy Chief Jump will succeed outgoing Chief Gregory Thomas, who has served as an outstanding leader of the Darien Police Department for the past eleven years. Chief Thomas has provided exceptional service to our community and has helped establish the department’s culture of professionalism, dedication, and excellence.
It is in large part because of Chief Thomas’s efforts that I had the luxury of choosing between two such highly qualified candidates. His eleven years of leadership have left the City of Darien with a police department that is exceptionally well-positioned for the future. On behalf of the City elected officials, administration, and staff, I want to extend our sincere appreciation to Chief Thomas for his outstanding leadership and service.
At the same time, I want to extend our congratulations to Deputy Chief Jump on his selection and appointment as Chief of Police. I believe the record of excellence we currently experience will continue under the leadership of Chief Jump, who will formally assume the role as Chief upon Chief Thomas’s retirement on November 14, 2026. I look forward to working with Chief Jump, and I want to thank our residents for their consideration and continued support of the Darien Police Department and the City of Darien.