Mayor Kraham Names Next Police Chief

Mayor Kraham Names Assistant Chief John Ryan Binghamton's Next Police Chief

25-Year Veteran Has Served as Acting Chief Since July

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)-Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Friday announced the appointment of Assistant Chief John C. Ryan as Binghamton's next Police Chief.

Ryan, a 25-year veteran of the Binghamton Police Department, has served as Acting Chief since July.

Mayor Jared M. Kraham said: "John Ryan brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience to this position. He's a proven leader who is committed to ensuring the highest level of policing and public safety in Binghamton. John's track record as a person of integrity and professionalism, along with his years of leadership experience, make him the right person to guide the Binghamton Police Department into a new era. I'm deeply grateful for John's work leading the department these last months during a critical time, and I look forward to working with him to continue building the best Police Department we can."

Assistant Chief John C. Ryan said: "I'm honored to serve as Binghamton's next chief of police. I care deeply about this department and the community we serve. Our mission-to enhance the quality of life in the City of Binghamton through progressive police service in partnership with the community-is one I take seriously. I'm eager to lead the department into its next chapter, with the safety of the community and our officers front of mind."

Ryan joined the Binghamton Police Department in 2000 following four years as a patrolman with the Vestal Police Department.

His time as a patrolman with the Binghamton Police Department included two years as a member of the SWAT Team and two years as a field training officer.

Ryan was promoted through the ranks, holding supervisor positions in the Patrol Division and Detective Divisions, most recently serving as Administrative Captain and then Captain of the Detective Division.

He was named Assistant Police Chief in 2019.

Ryan took over as Acting Chief this summer after former Chief Joseph T. Zikuski was placed on administrative leave. Zikuski resigned earlier this year amid an investigation into circumstances surrounding a July 20 incident in Johnson City.

Ryan is a graduate of Binghamton High School and SUNY Broome, where he earned an associate's degree in criminal justice. He has also completed the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc.'s Leadership Certification Program and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)'s Leadership in Police Organizations Course, the organization's flagship leadership development training program.

He's currently an executive board member for New York State's Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) Initiative and Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative.

Ryan's appointment to Police Chief will become effective January 3.