Peekskill Changes Police Chiefs Friday-Saturday

PEEKSKILL, NY — Peekskill Police Chief Eric Johansen's last day is Friday. Lieut. Don Halmy takes over as chief on Saturday.

Halmy has been the watch commander for the 4-12 shift. Before that he was sergeant with the department. Before becoming a police officer, he was a science teacher.

While Johansen is officially retiring, he's actually headed to a new job he's excited about. Not that he's saying what it is right now. He starts work there Monday — and while it is in law enforcement, it's not another local police department, as everyone has been speculating, he said. The new venture will be making an announcement March 14.

"I'm excited, and at the same time it's a little strange," the Cortlandt Manor resident said. "I've been getting up and coming here for 24 years - driving three miles down the road."

Peekskill is his hometown, and he's been with the Police Department for 24 years, five of them as its chief. So he'll still be very visible in the community. "I like it more every day," he said.

He said he's most pleased about the decline in the crime rate over the past five years, and about the caliber of the officers in the department, their education and their professionalism.

"I've worked well with each Common Council," he said. "They've been supportive of the department, to get the job done efficiently and effectively."

Congratulating Halmy after the current Common Council made the appointment earlier this week, Mayor Andre Rainey said the discussions about Johansen's successor had been extensive.

"Chief Eric Johansen was an amazing Chief of Police," Rainey told Patch. "His commitment to this city speaks volumes. My first month as a councilman, Chief Johansen informed me, and the previous administration, that he wouldn’t sacrifice his integrity for anyone. I appreciated that and what Chief Johansen stands for. Now, I hope I can get out of the habit of texting him at midnight if I have a question. He’s been that kind of friend. I’ll sincerely miss and hope nothing less than the best for his future endeavors. All success, in my opinion, he deserves.

"As for Lieutenant Halmy, our new provisional Chief of Peekskill, I wish nothing but success in this new journey. It’s not easy stepping up to the plate but when leaders like us get great opportunities, we aim for the stars and won’t land until we touch them. I look forward to working with him as well."

The Journal News reported Halmy will be paid $153,873.

"He's a consumate professional," Johansen said of his successor. "I see the men and women falling seamlessly into line behind him."

PHOTO: Eric Johansen / Peekskill Police Department website