Before joining the Binghamton Police Department in 2000, Ryan was a Vestal town patrolman. A graduate of Binghamton High School and SUNY Broome, he is also a current executive board member for New York state’s Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence and the Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative.

Ryan served as acting police chief after Zikuski was placed on administrative leave in July, following video evidence of his girlfriend, Susan Rice, 44, reportedly punching two teenage boys at a Johnson City residence after she made inflammatory remarks. Zikuski, off duty at the time, was present and helped Rice stand up after the younger, 16-year-old boy struck her in the face after she first punched him. She was later arrested by Johnson City police and charged with three offenses — harassment, endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree trespass.

“I’m honored to serve as Binghamton’s next chief of police,” Ryan said in a Dec. 19 statement. “I care deeply about this department and the community we serve. Our mission — to enhance the quality of life in the City of Binghamton through progressive police service in partnership with the community — is one I take seriously.”

“I’m eager to lead the department into its next chapter, with the safety of the community and our officers front of mind,” he continued.

On Nov. 5, Kraham told WNBF News that he would also consider three other candidates for the position: Larry Hendrickson, John Chapman and Conor Heslin, who are all police captains.

An investigative report released in October by the city found that Zikuski violated several department policies after the July incident. He initially did not notify Kraham about his interaction with Johnson City law enforcement. After the mayor’s office reached out on July 20, Zikuski told Kraham the incident was not a “big deal” and that he did not initiate any calls to law enforcement before changing his story after being pressed. He was then placed on administrative leave.

Zikuski was advised to return his city-issued property, including keys, a cell phone and a tablet. With assistance from Rice, he looked up how to “wipe clean” the cell phone and tablet before administering factory resets on July 21.

According to the report, Zikuski said in an interview his actions “could give the impression of wrongdoing or attempting to cover up wrongdoing.”

The investigation also discovered that Zikuski stored a personal firearm in his office and failed to disclose a change in residence, both violations of department policy.

Since Zikuski resigned and retired before the investigation ended, any civil service processes that could have removed him from his position were “no longer available,” the report found.

The Binghamton City Council later passed a resolution condemning Zikuski’s conduct, calling his actions “unethical, unprofessional, and contrary to the standards of public service expected of any City official.”

Ryan officially became the city’s next police chief on Jan. 3, 2026.

“John Ryan brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience to this position,” Kraham said in the Dec. 19 statement. “He’s a proven leader who is committed to ensuring the highest level of policing and public safety in Binghamton. John’s track record as a person of integrity and professionalism, along with his years of leadership experience, make him the right person to guide the Binghamton Police Department into a new era.”