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Spinelli Named Mount Kisco's New Police Chief

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. -- Sgt. Joseph Spinelli has been appointed as Mount Kisco's new police chief, ending a long vacancy period.

The Mount Kisco Village Board of Trustees met in a special Monday meeting.

The Mount Kisco Village Board of Trustees met in a special Monday meeting.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Mount Kisco's Village Board of Trustees voted to appoint Spinelli on Monday morning.

Spinelli, who is the local PBA president, was appointed to a 52-week probationary period and has a salary of $112,000, Cindrich said.

The chief's position had been vacant for more than two years, according to Mayor Michael Cindrich, following the retirement of Steven Anderson.

In the interim, Executive Lt. Patrick O'Reilly has taken on a chief-like role. Cinrich called the temporary role "officer in charge." O'Reilly was not in contention for the chief's position because he was not on a Civil Service list, Cindrich explained.

Spinelli's appointment comes as Mount Kisco and Westchester County remain in talks over whether to consolidate police. The possibility of a consolidation has been discussed since 2011, according to Cindrich. During this past summer, Spinelli endorsed combining with the county when he spoke in his PBA leadership capacity.

The chief's position was kept vacant at the request of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Cindrich said. The reason for the request, according to the mayor, was to avoid creating a hierarchy so the department would not have to absorb officers if they consolidate.

However, the post is being filled now due to a demand from the county's Commissioner of Human Resources, Cindrich explained.

Going forward, Cindrich does not expect Spinelli's appointment to affect the talks with the county.

Four internal candidates were interviewed by the board for the position, Cindrich noted.

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