The Parsippany Police Department officially has a new leader. Former Deputy Chief Anthony DeZenzo was sworn in as the township's sixth chief by Mayor James Barberio Sept. 1.

DeZenzo is a 29-year veteran of the Parsippany Police Department and a graduate of the FBI National Academy as well as the West Point Leadership and Command School. According to a department release, he was promoted to sergeant in 1987, lieutenant in 1991 and captain in 1997.

He served as a member of the Emergency Response Team and had an active role as deputy coordinator of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Office of Emergency Management. At the time of his promotion to deputy chief last year, DeZenzo supervised the Parsippany Police Department's Investigative Division. He has also served as a division commander in the Patrol Division as well as the Support Services Division.

A lifelong Par-Troy resident, married father-of-two DeZenzo graduated from Parsippany High School and holds a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He replaces former chief Michael Peckerman.