Village of Rhinebeck hires two part‑time officers

The Village of Rhinebeck Board of Trustees voted to hire John Reiner and Michael Whelan to the village police department during its second monthly meeting on June 2, 2025.

Mayor Fernando introduced the two candidates and said the interview panel, which included Pete Palin and Sergeant Dunn, "found them to be exemplary" in their experience and attitudes toward community policing. Mayor Fernando then opened the floor for the trustees to ask questions.

John Reiner described his experience with the New York City Police Department and later assignments in the Town of Hyde Park, saying he spent three years on foot patrol in Times Square and later worked in the Thirteenth Precinct. "I would talk to all the store owners, interact with the community," Reiner said, describing his approach to problem‑solving and connecting people to services rather than relying solely on hospitalization.

Michael Whelan said he works full time across the river at the Town of Ulster police department and cited community relations and showing "your face to the community" as motivations for taking a second, part‑time position in Rhinebeck.

Trustees voted to hire both officers after brief questioning and a motion to approve. The board welcomed the officers and noted they will be assigned once onboarding, equipment issuance and related paperwork are complete. Mayor Fernando said the start date will be after a roughly one‑month administrative period to obtain uniforms and finalize paperwork.

The hires were handled by motion and voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried with trustees saying "aye." No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The new officers were present at the meeting and thanked the board before leaving; Sergeant Dunn and Pete Palin participated in the interview portion.