The Town of New Windsor Board on Wednesday, July 2 formally recognized via resolution the 60th Anniversary of the town’s police department. The resolution passed unanimously and calls upon the town’s citizens to recognize their dedication and service to the community.

After the resolution was read and unanimously approved, New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti spoke on the department’s makeup which includes four administrators, the chief and deputy chief, two lieutenants, seven sergeants, seven detectives, 27 patrolmen, eight full-time dispatchers, four part-time dispatchers, three records clerks, an administrative secretary for the chief and a janitor. Bedetti served within the department’s ranks before retiring back in 2023.

“I can say that I proudly served with that police department for 34 years in the communication room. It kind of made me what I am today to be honest with you. I can’t speak enough about them,” said Bedetti. “I know I haven’t been there for the last two years now but I will tell you that they are probably some of the greatest men and women I’ve ever worked with and been around in my life.”

Councilman Charles Broe, who had worked in the City of Newburgh Police Department offered his own sentiments on the recognition of the police department. Broe shared he worked in the city from 1990 to 2010 and recalled officers and several of the town’s chiefs he’s worked with during his time on the force.

“These are not idle words, the Town of New Windsor PD was always held in the highest regard and that certainly continues today,” said Broe. “Chief, you’re doing a great job and we’re happy to have you and all of your people here every day.”

Per a release, the New Windsor Police Department became a full-time law enforcement agency in 1965. This was due to the growth of the town and its population which necessitated the change in policing from constables to police officers. The town board during the 1960s recognized the need for a full-time department which led to constables becoming part-time officers and they were assisted by the auxiliary police. Chief Constable James W. Coritz was appointed Chief of Police in 1961 and later in 1965, Coritz organized a full-time department. The town’s first police car was also purchased the same year.

With the hiring of full-time officers, New Windsor secured a building on Ruscitti Road to use as Police Headquarters but by 1970, the department moved into a store front in the Antonelli Building on Windsor Highway. After that, the department moved again to the old Town Hall Building at 244 Union Avenue. Former Town Supervisor William Larkin then moved the department to Building 708 at Stewart International Airport in 1976. Chief Coritz continued to lead the department, building up a staff of 20 full-time officers and was responsible for the first detective division. He retired in 1982 after 30 years of service to the department.

Coritz’s successor as police chief was Sergeant Dominick D‘Egidio who remained in command until 1984. D‘Egidio retired in 1986 after over 20 years of service as a full-time officer. Walter Koury was then promoted to chief of the department in 1984. In 1991, Chief Koury and former Town Supervisor George Green, who previously served in the department as a police sergeant, worked together in the development of the new court and police facilities at 555 Union Avenue which the department moved into in May of that year and remains operational today. Chief Koury remained in command till his retirement in 2004.

Koury was succeeded by Chief Michael Biasotti who served from 2004 to 2015, Chief Richard Hovey who served from 2015 to 2018 and Robert Doss who served from 2018 to 2023.

The New Windsor Police Department is now led by Police Chief Daniel Valeri. “As we celebrate 60 years of service, I am immensely proud of the enduring legacy of leadership, professionalism, and innovation that defines this department,” said Valeri. “From our earliest days to the present, we have embraced progress—adopting cutting-edge technology, advancing training, and building strong community relationships. But it is the unwavering dedication and pride of our personnel that truly sets us apart. Together, we honor the past, serve the present, and shape the future with integrity and purpose.”

Other highlights of the department include it being recognized as a New York State Accredited Agency since 1996 and Chief Koury and all chiefs following are graduates of the FBI National Academy. The department also features specialized units such as a traffic safety unit, an accident reconstruction unit, a UAS unit, a motorcycle unit, K-9 unit, bicycle patrol unit, community policing unit, firearms training unit, and an honor guard. Specially trained officers fulfill roles as drug recognition experts and a school safety officer. Back in May, the police department and town board worked together on dedicating a monument outside of their headquarters honoring all past teams serving in the department’s K-9 Unit.

The approved resolution reads as follows: “Whereas; the New Windsor Police Department was founded in 1965 and is now celebrating its 60th anniversary; and Whereas; The Town Board of the Town of New Windsor is proud to commemorate its 60th anniversary and to honor its past and present members for their 60 years of protecting and serving the citizens of the Town of New Windsor; and Whereas; with a membership of dedicated police officers, the record of the New Windsor Police Department has been one of outstanding dedication to public service and protection; whenever needed 24 hours and, 365 days a year, for 60 years whenever called upon, these men and women have left both home and family and gone to the aid of their neighbors; and Whereas; These brave police officers are prepared to risk their lives on a daily basis to save the lives of others and to protect homes and property from crime; and Whereas; The Town Board recognizes the support and sacrifice of the families of these brave police officers; and Whereas; This Board cannot express sufficient gratitude to those devoted individuals who recognize that protecting and serving our residents is a sacred responsibility and who make that their responsibility by serving as police officers; and Whereas; It is the sense of this Board that we should give special recognition to the New Windsor Police Department, its members, past and present, and their families on this auspicious occasion of its 60th anniversary; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of New Windsor proudly commemorates the 60th anniversary of the New Windsor Police Department and calls upon all citizens to recognize their dedication and service to our community.”