City of Ithaca
Chief of Police Search Process
City Names Basile Chief
Ellenville Cop Starts on July 21
 |
Photo by Marguerite Nicosia / Journal Staff |
| Good Rapport: Village of Ellenville, N.Y., police officer Vanessa Nixon talks with Chief Richard Basile about his acceptance of the position as chief in Ithaca. Basile, chief of the Ulster County village, will join the Ithaca Police Department |
"Most people in life, God willing, aren't victims of crime. So if we can improve quality-of-life issues, that improves the image of the police department and that [sic] what it's all about: people feeling comfortable with police officers." |
| -- Richard P. Basile, Ithaca Police Department's new chief |
Richard P. Basile, 50, a nearly 25-year law enforcement veteran, will take over the top police job July 21, Mayor Alan Cohen said Wednesday.
Basile, chief of police in Ellenville, an Ulster County village of 4,200, will make $70,000 a year, up from $52,000 in his former job.
"I'm anxious to get started in Ithaca," Basile said in his office in Ellenville Wednesday.
Basile has worked as a police officer in Albany, for the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and in Ellenville. Because Ellenville's department is smaller than Ithaca, Basile said his hiring is provisional until he passes the next police chief exam in March.
He takes the place of Harlin McEwen, who left in February 1996 for a job with the FBI in Washington. Deputy Chief David Barnes has led the department since but said he did not want the chief's job.
Cohen said Basile's law enforcement experience and communication skills make him a great pick.
"He is very sensitive to the differences of culture within the community," Cohen said. "I know that he will be making every effort -- not only up front, but on an ongoing basis -- to familiarize himself with the people of the Ithaca community."
Police Chief Screening Committee Co-chairwoman Joanne Farbman said she was glad Basile got the nod.
"He definitely has some new and innovative ideas that have not been tried in Ithaca." Among those, she said, were plans for Ithaca's youth to keep them out of trouble.
Farbman, executive director of the Tompkins County Task Force for Battered women, said Basile won points for knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Officers who have worked with Basile also said they think he'll serve Ithaca well.
"He was a very valued employee here," said Albany Deputy Chief Robert Grebert, who served with Basile for years in that city's department. Basile patrolled a high-crime area, working closely with residents in what today is often called community policing. "I think he'll do fine by the people in Ithaca."
And officers at the Ithaca Police Department said they are relieved that they will soon have a permanent boss.
Barnes has had to hold off on major policy and spending decisions in the department, waiting for the new chief.
"Nothing's been getting done," said Sgt. Drew Martin, Police Benevolent Association president. "He's been in limbo, and we haven't had any decisions made over there."
Martin said he and other officers were frustrated that they did not find out until late Wednesday afternoon, when the mayor faxed a press release to the department.
"It gave the appearance of some disrespect to the rank and file in the department on the mayor's part," he said.
Cohen said salary, housing and schooling questions needed to be sorted out before he could make an offer on Friday to Basile.
By Monday, Basile had accepted. Cohen said the details weren't locked until late Tuesday.
"I waited until I was absolutely sure," Cohen said.
In an executive session Thursday morning, a council subcommittee authorized Cohen to make the offer at $70,000, approximately the amount that former [Chief] McEwen made Cohen said.
Cohen said Basile asked for more money. "There is a significant difference in the cost of living between here and Ellenville, so the differential in salary has to make up for that."
On May 22, the screening committee gave Cohen the names of two finalists -- Basile and Coachella, Calif., Chief Michael Berkow. But Berkow, 41, withdrew June 4 after accepting a job as chief in South Pasadena, Calif., leaving Basile as the lone contender.
In Ellenville, Mayor Raymond E. Younger credited Basile for his work expanding the Drug Awareness Resistance and Education program in the village. In his 4 1/2 years as chief in Ellenville, he also initiated the Police Athletic League and started a law enforcement Explorer post for the department.
"He was a very community-minded chief," Younger said. "It puts us in a tough position having to now look to replace him."
Some of Ithaca's officers, too, are looking forward to Basile's start.
"He looks like a damn good choice," said Ithaca Police Capt. John Betts. "Hopefully, he'll be a good leader."
"I guarantee that the officers will back him 100 percent and give him everything they have."
Staff reporter J. R. Clairborne contributed.
The Ithaca Journal
June 26, 1997
Return To Main Page
This project is sponsored in part by:
Concept Systems Incorporated |
 |