Larchmont Names New Police Chief

On Thursday October 21, 2021 the Larchmont Board of Trustees approved a resolution to offer Chris McNerney the position of Police Chief of the Larchmont Police Department, which he has accepted. McNerney is currently the Chief of Police in Greenburgh. Chief McNerney has served as Police Chief for the Greenburgh Police Department since 2013, with the exception of one year as Chief Investigator for the Westchester District Attorney’s office in 2019. In addition to his law enforcement experience, Chris holds a law degree and is a licensed attorney in NY and CT, has taught at the Westchester County Police Academy, been an adjunct professor of criminology at Mercy College, and is also a past president and board member of the Westchester County Chiefs of Police and New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.

The decision to select a Chief beyond the ranks of the Larchmont Police Department was not one taken lightly by the Village Board. Larchmont is fortunate to have some of the most dedicated, professional and well-trained police officers in the County. The men and women of the Larchmont Police Department time and again go above and beyond the call of duty in their service to Larchmont residents, and the community is better because of their work. 

Larchmont is a small Village, and as such has a relatively small police department with a full sworn compliment of 24 officers. The ebb and flow of attrition began to impact the Larchmont Police Department in 2019 with the loss of 6 officers between August 2019 and the present, due to retirements and transfers. Additionally, between May 31 and December 31 of this year, the Department will also have lost the Chief, Captain and one of two Lieutenants to retirement, effectively losing a combined 90 years of law enforcement experience and most of its command staff. Earlier this year they promoted a new lieutenant and a new sergeant from within the ranks and hired 5 highly qualified officers as transfers from other agencies. Although about half the members of the Larchmont Police Department currently have less than 10 years’ experience in law enforcement, they now have the opportunity to build the next generation of leaders from within the Department.

While the Board explored options of internal and external candidates and carefully reviewed the merits of each, this unique set of circumstances contributed to a decision to seek a seasoned chief. They are confident that bringing Chief McNerney to the department is the right decision for the continued success of the Larchmont Police Department. As Chris will be new to Larchmont, they are certain all members of the police department will be partners in his success, particularly the most senior members of the Department. 

The Board of Trustees continues to support the Police Department and is committed to providing them the resources they need to provide the high level of service that Larchmont’s residents have enjoyed for decades. The Village Board has asked Chief McNerney to maintain and build on that high level of service, specifically continuing toward New York State Accreditation, the attraction and retention of new officers, and furthering goals such as Community Policing and expanded training which were set out as part of their local police reform initiatives. 

Chief McNerney will begin his career with the Larchmont Police Department before the end of this year and it is expected that he will be sworn in at the December 6th Board of Trustees Re-Organization Meeting.