Robert Stettner will be the officer in charge as the town searches for the next chief.
James Faulborn's officers were making sure he didn't stay late on his last day.
"It was a good run. It was fun," the retiring Phillipsburg police chief said Friday as the clock ticked toward 4:30 p.m. During the phone call, an officer could be heard in the background reminding Faulborn of the time.
Phillipsburg police Chief James Faulborn (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) His retirement officially takes effect Monday. Faulborn said he will probably be back over the weekend to collect the last of his belongings.
The Liberty Township resident said he is not completely finished working, though he expects he is done with law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Phillipsburg is proceeding with the search for a new chief.
As that process unfolds, Capt. Robert Stettner will be the officer in charge of the department, Mayor Stephen Ellis said.
Stettner, the son of former town Councilman James Stettner, was promoted to captain 2012 when Faulborn became the full-time chief. His brother, James Stettner II, is also on the force.
Ellis said the town will first look internally for the department's next leader.
Fired police chief returning to Greenwich Twp.
The mayor said the town is sad to see Faulborn retire, adding that the chief was a welcome supporter during Ellis' first year in office.
"We're very sad to see him go," the mayor said. "He's been a great deal of support to me and I have a great deal of trust in him.
"We're going to miss him."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.