Tony Pope appointed new Deputy Chief of Police, Deputy Chief Janelle Benedict to retire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2014

For more information, please contact:
Mike Diekhoff, Chief of Police, City of Bloomington Police Department, 339.4477

Tony Pope appointed new Deputy Chief of Police, Deputy Chief Janelle Benedict to retire

Bloomington, Ind. - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that Tony Pope will be appointed to serve as the next Deputy Chief of the Bloomington Police Department. Pope has served as a Captain of Uniform Officers since 2008.

The opportunity to appoint Pope came about with the July 1 retirement of current Deputy Chief Janelle Benedict. She will be retiring on June 30 as a 27 year veteran of the Department. Benedict has served as Deputy Chief since 2008 and was the first woman to serve in this position for the City.

"Janelle has been an excellent Deputy Chief, serving this City and community in an exceptional manner, "Kruzan said. She is highly regarded for her professionalism and willingness to always go the extra mile to get the job done. We're fortunate to have a high caliber candidate to be our next Deputy."

Pope is a veteran of the United States Navy and has prior law enforcement experience with the Hampton Police Department in Virginia. He has served in a variety of positions within the Bloomington Police Department including patrol and investigations and has worked his way up through the ranks serving as Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Pope is active in the Indiana Chiefs of Police Association as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is an alumnus of Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County.

"I look forward to working alongside Tony," said Chief Mike Diekhoff. "He will bring quality leadership and guidance to the Department as we continue to provide outstanding service to the Citizens of Bloomington."

For more information, please contact Mike Diekhoff, Chief of Police, at 339.4477.

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