Bronxville board appoints three officers, approves resolution to raise authorized officer complement

The Village of Bronxville Board of Trustees on Jan. 13 appointed three police officers and approved a resolution to increase the authorized complement of police officers.

Village Administrator Jim Palmer announced the hires and the board approved the appointments of Samantha Pina of Mount Vernon, Sydney Newbury (identified as joining from the New York City Police Department), and Kevin O'Shea of Mohegan Lake. Palmer said each appointment is effective immediately and that each officer "will be subject to a 52-week probationary period." The board voted to approve the appointments by voice vote.

Palmer also presented a separate resolution, requested by county authorities, to increase the village's authorized number of police officers from 17 to 18 to accommodate the new hire the county is reviewing. Palmer said the village budget contains funding for the remainder of the year for the additional position because new officers have not yet used the budgeted time. The resolution was approved by the board.

Trustees and administrators noted the hires include two women coming from New York City, and a trustee observed that the new class "doubles our female police force," increasing the number of female officers from two to four. Palmer and others praised the police department's vetting process; Lieutenant DeYoung and the chief were thanked for their role in recruitment and background checks, though the chief's full name was not provided on the record.

No disciplinary or investigative details were discussed as part of the appointments. The board said the newly appointed officers will formally appear with the chief at the March meeting so residents can meet them.

Votes at a glance: the individual appointments and the resolution to increase the authorized complement were approved by the board (voice votes).