It's been said that experience is the best teacher.

If that's the case, then Joseph Lipsett figures to ace his new gig as police chief of the Rush Township Police Department.With a boatload of experience under his belt, Lipsett said he plans to be an asset to the community in which he now oversees.Lipsett was hired by the township's board of supervisors Jan. 3 at a salary of $65,000. His start date was Jan. 9.A retired state police officer and former Schuylkill County Coroner, Lipsett said he was glad to return to his professional roots."I'm elated to that effect, to be back in police work," Lipsett said. "It's a fairly large township; the people need to see a police presence."Lipsett shared his vision for the department."I think we're going to try to continue to move the department forward," he said. "It's tough coming into a place where they don't know you, they don't know your background."Lipsett, of Pottsville, said he plans to make change effectively."You need to implement new ideas, streamline things, make it easier for the officers and myself, make it more efficient," he said. "I'm all about officer safety."Lipsett acknowledged that he is the only full-timer with the department, which also has about six part-timers."I'm trying to get things in order, get a handle on everything," he said. "There are things here that I need to look at that perhaps weren't looked at before," he said. "It's just a matter of tweaking, changing some things to make it easier for the officers and myself."Lipsett acknowledged that drug use is a problem in the township, as he said is the case everywhere, and mentioned retail theft, and enforcement on routes 54 and 309 as the other challenges that currently face the township."It's about getting the police department going in the right direction, initiating some new ideas," he said.Lipsett urged residents with any type of issues to call the police department."We're all about serving the people in the township," he said. "We have an open door."Lipsett retired as a state trooper after 31 years on the job.Since that time, he has held several elected and appointed positions at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.Lipsett was the elected coroner of Schuylkill County from 2007-11.He has also been employed by the Schuylkill County district attorney's office and domestic relations office.Lipsett explained why he chose to apply for the position."It was just a matter of getting back to something that I like to do, that's the bottom line," he said. "Kind of like full circle."Lipsett said that while there are differences between being a police chief as opposed to a state cop, things aren't necessarily all that different."It's all police work," he said. "It's basically the same, it's just that you're wearing a different uniform."Lipsett said his extensive background lends itself to his latest position."My experience goes a long way; there isn't anything I probably haven't seen or done," he said. "You can't replace experience."