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McNerney advised the Greenburgh Town Board that he intends to retire from the Greenburgh Police Department as of Sunday, Aug. 25, as he takes a job with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office as their Chief Criminal Investigator.
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner announced McNerney’s resignation on Thursday, July 25.
Feiner said that the Board is currently interviewing three police captains to take over as the interim Police Chief. The Board is expected to appoint a permanent new chief following a civil service promotional test that will be administered in March next year.
According to Feiner, during his five and a half years in charge, McNerney is credited with:
- Implementing a Police Body Worn Camera program- first agency in Westchester County with full patrol deployment;
- Re-instituting the Street Crime Unit;
- Creating the Special Victim's Unit;
- Targeting impact crimes of burglary and larceny from vehicles significantly reducing crimes
- Initiated and worked with the Town Attorney’s office and residents to create local legislation to address the proliferation of illicit massage establishments in town- closing all of them;
- Working with the community and DPW to increase installation of sidewalks throughout the Town;
- Creating "Snow Emergency" legislation for downtown Hartsdale to allow for overnight parking during the winter months;
- Acquiring nearly $3 million worth of special operation emergency vehicles from grants and the federal 1033 program;
- Adopting numerous traffic and safety initiatives and won the AAA Platinum Award (Highest Award- For most progressive traffic safety initiatives) 3 years in a row;
- Initiating the installation of numerous stationary license plate readers throughout the Town including approximately $360,000 in grants;
- Initiating the speed activation recording in police car video camera systems resulting in a significant reduction in police-involved motor vehicle accidents;
- Joining the FBI Safe Streets Task Force;
- Joining the US Marshal's Fugitive Task Force;
- Obtaining several EMS grants for tourniquets, quick clot agents (now carried by all patrol officers) and Lucas Compression Life Saving Devices;
- Expanding the Child Safety Seat Program;
- With DPW, commenced several traffic safety engineering studies throughout the Town;
- Oversaw many initiatives to improve conditions at current Police Headquarters;
- Working with Town Court to start process for a new Police and Court facility;
- Creating a Motorcycle Unit;
- Conducting Motorcycle Safety Seminar- resulting in the reduction of motorcycle accidents;
- Started a Police Drone program;
- Receiving approval for the installation of a microwave radio system;
- Expanding the Emergency Medical Services program;
- Expanding the Taser program to all patrol officers (previously just supervisors) to ensure all officers are equipped with this important less than lethal force option;
- Expanding the less than lethal force options available for patrol officers- Bolawrap purchased and training commenced;
- Transitioning from PR-24 baton to expandable baton;
- Starting a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit;
- With Town Philanthropy Department received funding in perpetuity from the Lanza Foundation for Police Summer Youth Program;
- Establishing a Police Chaplain program to include a team of Chaplains;
- Starting participation in National Night Out;
- Starting an internship program for high school and college students;
- Obtaining patrol rifles grant replacing outdated weapons with necessary modern equipment;
- Muster/Training room redesign from donations including installation of $11,000 of modern audiovisual equipment;
- Receiving NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Department Reaccreditation- the best performance in evaluator's 15-year experience;
- Started a Social Media program and designated a Social Media Officer;
- Partnering with schools and many local businesses to conduct Active Shooter Drills and Stop the Bleed Training;
- Working with NYS Department of Transportation to approve and install a u-turn on the Sprain Brook Parkway between Dobbs Ferry Road and Jackson Avenue;
- Working with NYS Department of Transportation to install left-turn traffic signals at Sprain Brook Parkway/100B and Central Avenue/Underhill Road- Old Army Road;
- Cross-training all Community Policing Officers to be Crime Prevention Officers.;
- Providing Cultural Diversity Implicit Bias training to supervisors;
- Providing Crisis Intervention training to patrol officers.
In a statement, McNerney, said that it has been his "pleasure to serve the residents of this great town under your leadership."
"The Greenburgh Police Department is widely considered one of the finest law enforcement agencies in New York State for several reasons," he added. "Perhaps the most important reason is the talented and dedicated police officers, EMS personnel, and all non-sworn staff that provide outstanding service day in and day out.
"I could not be prouder of the men and women of the Greenburgh Police Department, especially those that put their lives on the line every day to keep our residents safe. We are all extremely fortunate to have such hard-working professionals."
McNerney went on to praise town residents, adding that he will "dearly miss serving as your police chief."
"I would be remiss if I did not thank all of our town residents that I have had the honor to serve the last 24 years," he said. "A wise man told me a long time ago, 'never forget who you work for... you may report to your town government, but you work for the residents of the town.'
"I have tried to remain true to this belief and forged many trusting relationships and partnerships along the way. To the residents of this town, I thank you for placing your trust in me, and supporting your police department. I ask that you continue that trust and support of our police department, as we will only continue to thrive and deliver outstanding police service when we work together."
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