The council introduced AJ Panabianco on the meeting agenda as the city’s acting police chief while the city searches for a permanent replacement.

Tom (city staff) presented Panabianco to council and said he would serve as acting chief until a permanent chief is hired. In his remarks, Panabianco described his background and approach. “Well, I'm AJ. I go by chief AJ or AJ. My last name is Panabianco,” he said. He told council he has more than 35 years of law‑enforcement experience, including service as police chief in Buena Vista and retirement from Middleburg in 2023. He said he was eager to serve and that his goal was to “more or less manage the police department,” not make sweeping changes: “My goal is to come in and more or less manage the police department. 1, because code requires you to have a chief, and 2, because having somebody at the helm who's not, planning to be at the in the job helps to keep things kind of above board as I see it.”

Panabianco said he will collaborate with City Manager Tom Carroll on any significant operational changes and highlighted existing community partnerships. Council members welcomed him and thanked him for serving in the interim role.

Why it matters: the appointment provides immediate leadership for the police department while the city conducts a national search; the interim chief emphasized continuity and collaboration with city management.

Less critical details: Panabianco noted personal and professional connections with the prior chief and said the staff appear encouraged by the interim appointment.