Gary F. O’Neill, retired Broome County undersheriff and Endicott police chief for a decade, will become interim Oneonta police chief, effective Monday, April 18.
Common Council made the decision Tuesday, April 5.
At that meeting, Mayor Miller also advised the aldermen he anticipates District Atty. John Muehl will bring charges within “a few weeks” against Officer Michael Breen.
Breen was accused of brutality by James Shanks, whom he apprehended for drug-related charges Jan. 28. In recent days, Shanks’ attorney announced his client is suing the city for $1 million.
The events caused Police Chief Joseph Redmond to retire, and O’Neill will preside over the 22 officers for 9-15 months while council recruits a permanent chief.
The mayor said his intention is to hire someone with the experience and determination to make the OPD a “great” department.
In briefing council, Miller outlined efforts to identify suitable candidates for interim chief, and noted O’Neill rose from nine prospects.
He was recommended by Maj. Kevin G. Molinari, Troop C commander, who called him a “consummate professional” with “experience, leadership skills, command presence and willingness to make difficult decisions.”
He was also recommended by Thomas P. Kelly, Jr., a decorated trooper who is now Hartwick College director of campus safety, and Joseph Loszynski, the retired director of the state police internal affairs unit, who was hired by City Hall to investigate the Breen matter and assess the general health of OPD.
As Endicott chief, O’Neill presided over 36 officers and 12 non-police staff members. At the Broome County Sheriff’s Department, he was second in command of a 260-employee force.
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