Capt. John Ostermueller has assumed his new duties as Cherry Hill’s police chief.
Mayor David Fleisher and council confirmed his appointment at their Dec. 30 meeting, and Ostermueller began his new job on New Year’s Day. A township resident, he is an expert in community-based policing and has more than two decades of law-enforcement experience, including the last 21 years in Cherry Hill.
“Capt. John Ostermueller has the experience and vision to lead the Cherry Hill police department into the future,” Fleisher said. “He shares my commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe, and operating with efficiency, professionalism and accountability. I look forward to working with John to ensure our department continues to deliver for our residents.”
Ostermueller replaced Robert Kempf, who retired from the department on New Year’s Eve.
“Ostermueller is an excellent choice to lead the department with his years of experience and dedication to our community,” noted council President William Carter.
Fleisher and council also congratulated Kempf on his retirement and thanked him for his 26 years of service to the people of Cherry Hill. He joined the township police department in December 2003 as a patrol officer and has held various leadership and managerial positions over the course of his career.
Along with expertise in community-based policing, Ostermueller is skilled in administrative operations, strategic planning, officer development and community relations. He most recently served as chief administrative officer for the department.
As chief, Ostermueller will lead a staff of more than 175 full- and part-time employees. The police department averages more than 85,000 calls a year in a community that covers 24.1 square miles and has a population of 76,000 residents.
“I am honored to lead the Cherry Hill police department as the next chief and to provide the services our residents and our community expect,” Ostermueller noted.
Ostermueller holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Stockton University and a master’s in human resource management, training and supervision from Seton Hall University. He is a graduate of the 2024 class of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
“Capt. Ostermueller has consistently demonstrated professionalism, a proactive approach to problem-solving and outstanding communication skills, as he collaborated with our association on community events or items of concern over the years,” said Tina Truitt-O’Neal, president of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association.
“He has shown a deep understanding and commitment to the diversity within the Cherry Hill community and clearly possesses the attributes, experience and skills necessary to serve as the next police chief.”
