Peekskill Names New Police Chief

PEEKSKILL, NY — Leo Dylewski has been named as Peekskill's new chief of police, replacing Don Halmy, who retired Friday.

"I am honored to be able to serve a community which has given me so much over my 21-year career," Chief Dylewski told Patch.

Dylewski, like Halmy, rose through the ranks in the Peekskill Police Department, joining the force in 2000. He knows the city from many vantage points, including community policing, patrol, auxiliary police and the DARE program. He was a mentor in the schools. He served as president of the State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association and the Westchester County Youth Officer’s Association and continues to sit on their boards.

On the Facebook post announcing the appointment, Chief Dylewski summed up his priorities: "My key goals include implementing the recommendations outlined in our Police Reform mandate, which includes strengthening and fostering strong community engagement, expanding services to those who suffer with mental health-related issues, and advanced training courses for our officers."