Toms River police chief retires after ongoing dispute with mayor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little has decided to retire, according to a message he sent to the police department Friday.

Little's final day after a 39-year career is set for Friday, Aug. 23, according to the message shared by Jersey Coast Emergency News on Facebook.

Little, reached by phone Friday evening, confirmed the authenticity of the message but declined to comment.

“TRPD family, after 39 years and 11 years as Chief, I knew there would come a time when I had done all I could for the agency and my presence would actually be a detriment and prevent any movement in hiring, promotions and even equipment,” the message said. “It is with a heavy heart and after thorough soul-searching that I have decided to retire effective this coming Friday, August 23rd, in the hopes that there will be promotions, new officers will be hired and you will be given what you need to move forward.”

“We have been through this before and we will get through it again, given time. I truly believe that. I will stay loyal to the foundation and do whatever I can to help,” Little wrote.

“As always, thank you all for your incredible work, friendship and support over the years,” Little wrote. “You are an amazing group of people doing extraordinary things and it has been an honor to work with each and every one of you. You have all made this organization and this city a better place.”

Little's announcement of his resignation comes after more than eight months of tumult and conflict since Mayor Dan Rodrick took office on Jan. 1, beginning with Rodrick's decision to eliminate two captain positions from the department's roster.

He insisted on the cuts so that the salaries could cover the cost of hiring new paramedics and providing additional ambulances in Toms River and emergency services on the community's barrier islands.

Rodrick said at the time of the cuts, Little and the third captain, Deputy Chief Patrick Dellane, could assume the supervisory duties assigned to the two captains. Despite a successful petition to rescind an order removing the positions from the list, Rodrick stated that the captain positions would not be filled.

That wasn't the only conflict. In April, Rodrick and business administrator Jon Salonis suspended Little for two days because of what Patch sources said was an administrative issue. Neither Rodrick nor Little commented on the matter at the time.

It is not yet clear who will lead the department when Little's resignation becomes official on Aug. 23. Dellane, the deputy chief, resigned from his post on July 31.

Lt. Peter Sundack was the commander when Little was suspended because Dellane was on vacation, as Sundack is the highest-ranking officer. However, it is unclear who might be Little's successor.

Little, who was hired by the department in 1986, will be honored on his final day with a farewell ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in front of the police department.