Brooklyn swears in Cindy Eschweiler as police chief; four officers promoted

Brooklyn’s mayor presided over a swearing-in ceremony that installed Cindy Eschweiler as the city’s new police chief and saw four officers promoted to lieutenant and sergeant ranks.

Escheweiler, who repeated the oath administered by the mayor and was sworn in as chief of police, told attendees she has spent 24 years with the Brooklyn Police Department and pledged to lead "with integrity, transparency, and respect." The ceremony included an invocation by Father Doug Brown of Mary Queen of Peace Church and brief remarks from the mayor.

The promotions confirmed at the ceremony included Steven Wright and Joseph Traska, who were sworn in as police sergeants, and Adam McQuade and Brian Glendorf, who were sworn in as police lieutenants. Each officer repeated the oath to support the U.S. Constitution, Ohio law, and the charter and ordinances of the city of Brooklyn before taking on their new duties.

In her remarks, Chief Cindy Eschweiler recounted beginning her career with the department 24 years ago and described being the agency’s first female officer, a distinction she said she held for 18 years. "I am both humbled and inspired," Eschweiler said. "As chief, I pledged to lead with integrity, transparency, and respect. I will work every day to continue to earn your trust and your support." The chief thanked family members, colleagues and past supervisors who were present.

The mayor framed the swearing-in as a moment of transition in leadership and emphasized that promotions carry ongoing obligations to earn public trust through "honesty, fairness and accountability." Father Doug Brown, introduced as the Cleveland Police chaplain and pastor at Mary Queen of Peace Church, offered the invocation and a closing benediction.

The ceremony concluded with the mayor inviting attendees to light refreshments in the lobby and to congratulate the newly promoted officers. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event.