Tuckahoe PD Gets First Female Lieutenant, Two New Sergeants

Family, friends and fellow officers packed the start of the Tuckahoe Board meeting Monday night in support of three members of the police department, whose promotions were approved by trustees.

First up was the appointment of 16-year-department vet Sgt. Margaret Belles to the position of lieutenant. The appointment marks the first time in the department's history that a woman will serve as lieutenant.

After Mayor John Fitzpatrick administered the oath, Belles, who stood with her family, thanked Chief John Costanzo calling the department one of the finest in the County and a place where hard work is rewarded.

Belles joined the department in September 1994 and her appointment was effective as of Dec. 6.

She went on to thank her friends, family, children and her husband, retired Tuckahoe Sgt. Daniel Belles.

Along with the lieutenant appointment, two officers—Paul D'Onofrio and Abelardo Bautista—were each promoted to sergeant, effective Dec. 27.

D'Onofrio, an 11-year member of the force, was sworn in with his wife and two children by his side. He said he looks forward to serving as sergeant and thanked his family.

Bautista, who has been a member of the department since 2001 and was most recently in the detective division, was also administered the oath surrounded by members of his family. He thanked them, his wife and children.

All three promotions will have a probationary period of 26 weeks.

Police Chief John Costanzo congratulated all three, saying that each presented themselves very well and will be great supervisors for the village.

He also thanked the board for filling the vacancies and all the candidates who applied.

The lieutenant and one sergeant position had been vacant since the summer, while the other sergeant position had been vacant since June 2009, according to Lt. Ray Stabile. He said the department hopes to fill the detective position vacated by Bautista by late January.

"Chief, you should be very proud of your department," said trustee Thomas Giordano, at the meeting, who also commented on all the strong candidates that were interviewed. The other trustees also offered congratulations and praise.