The Parsippany Police Department  gets a new deputy chief on Tuesday.  Acting Deputy Chief Paul Philipps loses the "acting" thanks to the promotion, which the town will celebrate in Council Chambers at Town Hall. The announcement came today in a joint statement from Mayor James Barberio and Police Chief Anthony DeZenzo.

Philipps is a 32-year veteran of the PPD. As he climbed the ranks over the years, he has worked with youth in efforts including D.A.R.E. and in the department's youth services division. He has also worked in other divisions, among them planning and research, investigative, internal affairs. Most recently, Philipps has served as commander of the investigative division.

The new deputy chief is a much-honored officer. As a police captain, Philipps earned command citations, a unit commendation, an award for exceptional duty and a medal for meritorious service.

He also participates in the annual Police Unity Tour, a bike ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., that honors fallen police officers and gives assistance to their families.

Philipps is a married father of two and lives with his family in Parsippany. Along the way he earned an associates degree in criminal justice,  attended Seton Hall University and received a master’s degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. Philips is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership and Command program.

It was only a month ago when Captain Philipps became the acting deputy chief as part of a flurry of promotions at the PPD.  And on Oct. 11, Philipps and the Township Council settled a longstanding court dispute involving a two-year-old employment matter; no terms of the settlement were revealed.

The swearing-in ceremony Tuesday will feature a host of town leaders and police department members. The festivities are scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.