Three deputy chiefs, one captain retire at same time from IPD

IRVINGTON, NJ — According to Irvington Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers, three deputy chiefs and one captain in the Irvington Police Division have retired from the department.

“Deputy Chief Michael Tomich, Deputy Chief Steve Yannotti, Deputy Chief Dwayne Mitchell and Capt. Kim Williams retired,” said Bowers on Monday, Nov. 6. “Oct. 31 was their last day. And yes, we gave them the customary coffee-and-cake sendoff that was well-attended. Their official retirement day was Nov. 1.”

These retiring veteran leaders were all promoted July 27, 2016, with the stipulation that they agreed to defer the accompanying salary increases for 18 months. Other Irvington Police Division officers promoted that day included Lts. Stewart Townsend, Kenneth Price, Harold Wallace and Lester Wilson to the rank of captain; Sgts. Eric Wilson and Mark Green to the rank of lieutenant; and police officers Dawn Koontz, Kevin Hughes and Barry Zepeda to the rank of sergeant.

Mayor Tony Vauss could not be reached for comment about the retiring IPD members by press time this week.

“Now the highest rank will be captain,” said Sgt. Charles Capers, president of the IPD Superior Officers Association Local 29, on Monday, Nov. 6. “It doesn’t create any direct impact on the SOA. And promotions are always a good thing.”

“It doesn’t affect leadership nor the PBA,” said Detective Maurice Gattison, president of Irvington Police Division Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 29, on Monday, Nov. 6. “They’re about to hire 25-plus officers. It doesn’t affect anything.”

The retirees said their retirements would definitely have an impact on their own lives, but they are glad they’re leaving the Irvington Police Division and the township in good hands.

“I am proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Irvington for 25 years,” said Mitchell on Monday, Nov. 6. “I got great satisfaction in all the positions that I was able to serve in, from patrolman to detective to sergeant to lieutenant to captain, and to retire as acting chief and deputy chief. It was a pleasure to serve with all those men and women of the Irvington police force.”

Mitchell briefly served as the IPD’s acting chief from 2013 to 2014, having been promoted to that position after police Chief Michael Chase was suspended. Prior to his appointment as acting chief, Mitchell was provisional deputy chief of the department and the senior ranking officer.

When Mitchell’s time as acting chief came to an end, he reverted to being a captain.

By that time, Tomich and Yannotti had both been promoted to captain. When Vauss was elected mayor and Bowers became the new police director, Tomich, Yannotti and Mitchell were all promoted to deputy chief.

In 2016, the Vauss administration combined the police and fire departments into the new Irvington Public Safety Department with police and fire divisions, eliminating the position of police chief, although the Irvington Fire Division retained Antonio Gary and John Brown as fire chief and fire director, respectively. Bowers was named the public safety director, in charge of both divisions.

Brown’s title and position of fire director were officially abolished the Irvington Municipal Council on Dec. 28, 2016, as per the guidelines of the new Public Safety Department. Vauss filled in as fire director for a few months, earning a $3,846.16 stipend during that time period. Then Brown returned to Irvington after six months and Vauss appointed him to serve as the township’s deputy public safety director.

Now Mitchell, Tomich, Yannotti, and Williams have also retired from the Irvington Police Division. It remains to be seen whether any of them will return to serve Irvington again in different capacities.

“There was a lot of institutional knowledge lost, but the department is still in good shape,” Bowers said. “This is an opportunity for other commanders to lead and bring forth new ideas and energy in policing. We appreciate the service of all the retirees and wish them well in their retirement and future endeavors.”

  Tracy Bowers