Cobleskill Police Department sergeant and investigator Richard Bialkowski has been named to replace retired Chief Larry Travis.
Sergeant Bialkowski will be acting chief until he takes and passes the Civil Service exam, said Mayor Linda Holmes.
The change of command officially took place at 12:01am Saturday; former Chief Travis, 50, retired after four years in the post and 24 with the Cobleskill PD.
"We really wanted to promote from within and we're confident Rich has the experience and qualifications to do a good job," said Mayor Holmes.
"He's familiar with the community and can give us seven good years. It's a good fit."
Mayor Holmes said with four officers-John Sullivan, Steve Weingard, Jeff Brown, and Matt Wilday-all with at least 20 years with the CPD and eligible for retirement at any time-that sense of continuity is important.
Patrolman Jeff Egnor recently took a lateral transfer to the Guilderland Police Department, and so Mayor Holmes said the village has agreed to take two candidates off the Civil Service list and put them through the Police Academy-an expensive, but vital move, she said.
They're also hoping to recruit a third officer for a lateral transfer from another police department, something that would save on training costs and get the department up to full staff.
Acting Chief Bialkowski said he's looking forward to the challenges of the new post.
"Larry's shoes will be hard to fill, but I'll give it my best shot," he said.