New Police Chief Named in Southampton Town

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — After months of deliberation, Southampton Town will soon have a new police chief.

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman announced Thursday that an agreement had been reached with Nassau County Chief of Department Steven Skrynecki to take over the chief's seat.

Skrynecki, Schneiderman said, is a "highly decorated and respected law enforcement officer. We are thrilled that he's accepted our offer. I think he'll be a tremendous leader for our police department."

Skrynecki, he said, also served in a plethora of other positions with the Nassau County Police Department, including chief of detectives, commanding officer in internal affairs, narcotics/vice squad, robbery and vehicle theft squads, and the Second Precinct.

Currently, Schneiderman said, Skrynecki is serving in a security capacity at the upcoming presidential debate.

Skrynecki, Schneiderman said, will take the helm at his new post, replacing Southampton Town Police Chief Robert Pearce, who announced his retirement in April.

Skrynecki will begin his new duties on January 16, but the town will see a savings of roughly $80,000, because Skrynecki will not avail himself of health insurance or pension benefits, Schneiderman said.

Reflecting on Skrynecki's record, Schneiderman said he's overseen 3,000 people and "basically, held every position in the department. He's extraordinarily qualified. He'll make a tremendous police chief. The officers that serve under him, I think, will find him humble and a team player but also, someone they can learn from."

Skrynecki, he said, will appear before the town board on September 29 and will begin meeting weekly with key town staffers.

Photo courtesy Nassau County Police Department; Patch file photo.