by Geoff Fox
Richard Cook has resigned as Hancock Police Chief effective immediately.
Sgt. Rich Cook.
In an email to the media on Monday evening, Mayor Ralph Salvagno announced the resignation.
“I accept his resignation and wish him well in his future career,” Salvagno said in the email.
On behalf of himself and the town council, Salvagno thanked Cook for his service to the town.
Salvagno said Officer Sean Faith would be the Officer-in-Charge of the Hancock Police Department until further notice.
Tuesday morning, Salvagno said the resignation came with no warning and caught everyone by surprise.
Cook came into the office Monday morning, laid down his keys and badge, and his resignation letter, Salvagno said.
The resignation comes just days before the annual Halloween Parade and trick or treat, however Salvagno said the town has reached out to Sheriff Doug Mullendore and everything will be covered.
Cook joined the Hancock Police in 2017 and quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant in October of 2018.
Cook was named police chief in January of this year and sworn in as chief at the February town meeting.
Cook’s resignation comes about a year after Richard Miller resigned from the same position. He said at the time he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Cook is the third police chief to resign from the position since 2017 when long-time chief T.J. Buskirk left the department to take a security job with Harvest, Hancock’s medical cannabis grower.
