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Dutchess County resident Rich Wilson has been named the Chief of Police for the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department by Mayor Yvonne Flowers on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Wilson has served as Interim Police Chief since the former chief, Tom Pape, retired in May.
Wilson joined the department in 1994 as a police dispatcher and worked his way through the ranks. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001 and served in Community Policing and the Neighborhood Recovery Unit before being named al lieutenant.
He became captain in 2016, tasked, in part, with oversight of the Patrol and Detective Divisions, the Neighborhood Recovery Unit, the Community Policing Unit, and the Traffic Safety and School Resource Detective.
Wilson also served as the commanding officer of the Emergency Services Unit.
“Rich Wilson has a wealth of experience with the City Police Department and has distinguished himself at every step along the way,” said Flowers. “He is well known throughout the community and brings strong leadership skills to this critically important position. I have the utmost confidence in his ability and know he will work with the community and always put public safety first as we move the city forward.”
Wilson graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School, attended Dutchess Community College, studied business administration, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs from Empire State University.
He is a lifelong resident of the Poughkeepsie area.
He volunteers for the City of Poughkeepsie Police Athletic League and Vassar Warner Home and is a member of the McCann-Caven Golf Courses board.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the department,” said Wilson. “We have an excellent staff of dedicated officers and support personnel, and I am proud of the progress we have made – and will continue to make -- to protect the city and keep its residents and visitors safe.”
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