Crime & Safety

Northport Native Chris Hughes Named Police Chief

Sgt. Chris Hughes was sworn in as chief of police for the Northport Village Police Department on Tuesday night.

Sgt. Chris Hughes (right) was sworn in as chief of police for the Northport Village Police Department on Tuesday night.
Sgt. Chris Hughes (right) was sworn in as chief of police for the Northport Village Police Department on Tuesday night. (Northport Police)

NORTHPORT, NY — Chris Hughes has spent his entire life in Northport, and last night he was sworn in as chief of police for the Northport Village Police Department. Hughes has a long and impressive resume of public service within the village, previously serving as fire chief and spending nearly two decades in the police department.

"It's a tremendous honor," Hughes told Patch on Wednesday. "Not something I ever pictured myself doing. Just an honor. I'm looking forward to working with the people in the community, people I've known my whole life."

Hughes was sworn in Tuesday night. His new title goes into effect at midnight July 28. Hughes will replace the Chief Bill Ricca, who's been a member of the department since 1991 and served as chief for four years.

Find out what's happening in Northportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Ricca has looked to make the transition as smooth as possible for the incoming Hughes.

"The past several months I've been working side by side with Chief Riccam" said Hughes. "Learning the day by day of the job, preparing for the new challenges I'll face."

Find out what's happening in Northportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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