Crime & Safety
New Interim Chief Sworn-In at Bedford Police Department
Interim Chief Melvin Padilla is the first Hispanic person named to a department's top spot in Westchester County.
Thirteen-year Bedford Department veteran Melvin Padilla was recently sworn-in as the force’s new interim chief, marking the first time an Hispanic person has been named police chief in Westchester County.
Padilla was most recently a lieutenant with the department, and he will remain chief until the position is permanently filled in the spring of next year, according to The Journal News. He replaces retired Chief William Hayes.
The 39-year-old Padilla is of Puerto Rican descent, and he understands the importance of his promotion. “It means there will be pressure,” Padilla told The Journal News. “It means a lot of people will be paying attention.”
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Below is the deparment’s Facebook post about the swearing-in. Click here to read the full story on The Journal News website.
Photo: Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick administers the Oath of Office to Interim Chief Melvin Padilla. Photo credit: Bedford Police Department via Facebook
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