Jackson Township Police Chief Mary Nelson is retiring effective November 1, TLS has learned. Captain George Vidalis will serve as temporarily acting chief until a permanent chief is chosen.

Nelson became Jackson’s first female police chief when she was appointed interim chief on February 1 and sworn in provisionally on February 10, 2026, following the departure of Chief Matthew Kunz.

Vidalis, a Jackson native, has been on the job since 2003. He was promoted to captain in June 2024 and commands the department’s Investigations Division.