Orangetown Police To Appoint Officer to DEA Task Force

At last week's town board workshop, Orangetown Councilman Tom Diviny called for the Orangetown Police Department to place an officer full time on the DEA Narcotics Task Force. 

"If we don't act now, we will lose that position," Diviny said. "Since we put someone there on a part-time basis, we put in for and received $200,000 in forfeiture money."

The Orangetown Council is expected to approve a resolution at tonight's 7:30 p.m. meeting at town hall which would authorize Police Chief Kevin Nulty to appoint an officer full time to the task force.

Diviny argued that a full-time officer could help Orangetown bring in more forfeiture money. Councilman Denis Troy supported the idea, though more from the standpoint of representing Orangetown on the task force.

Nulty said that at least in the short term, the move could have an impact on overtime expenses for his department, though the board may authorize the hiring of an officer to replace the one assigned to the DEA. 

"I'll put the wheels in motion. We'll do it. It just may have a bit of a price tag," Nulty said. "At this point, the depletion of any more manpower from patrol will cost overtime."

Nulty said he has an idea of which officer might be selected and that it would likely be one with more experience. 

Diviny said Chris Robinson has held a spot open for Orangetown, but it would not be available much longer, so it was important to act quickly.

The full agenda for Tuesday's meeting is attached to this report.

In addition to the appointment of an officer to the DEA task force and approving materials for the sidewalk project in Palisades, the council will consider appointments to town boards and advisory committees and a resolution proclaiming March 2013 as Irish Cultural Heritage Month in Orangetown.