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Christie Selects New State Police Superintendent

Rick Fuentes, Governor Christie, and Patrick Callahan

With just three months left in his term, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is naming a new Superintendent of the State Police.

Superintendent Rick Fuentes is retiring on November 1st. He enlisted in the State Police in 1978 and served as is leader since 2003.

“I would sum up my 40 years probably in two sentences. There were days and there were times when I wanted to go home from work early. There was never a single day I can remember when I didn’t want to come to work.”

To replace Fuentes, Christie has selected state police Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Callahan, who thanked the Governor for the confidence he has in him to lead an organization he always wanted to be a part of.

“I’ve always considered myself a Jersey Trooper. Regardless of what I’ve sewn on my sleeves or pinned on my shoulders, I always introduce myself when people ask what do you do for a living, I say I’m a Jersey State Trooper.”

Christie says many rank-and-file members of the state police have told him that Callahan is the right man for the job and hopes the new governor agrees.

“The position of Superintendent of the State Police has never been a political one. It shouldn’t be. It’s too important a position. And there’s really not partisanship in my view in terms of the responsibilities of the Superintendent of the State Police. It should be based upon qualifications and not anything political at all.”

Fuentes did not comment on his future plans. There’s speculation he’s in the running to head the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. And Christie says he’d be the kind of strong, decisive leader that agency needs.