SUNY New Paltz Police Chief Resigns

Chief David Dugatkin was placed on administrative leave last month for unknown reasons.

According to the Daily Freeman, Chief Dugatkin has officially stepped down as police chief after he spent just about a month on administrative leave.

Dugatkin is a 28-year police veteran that joined the New Paltz Police Department back in 1990. He was promoted to detective sergeant in the department in 2008 and left the New Paltz Police Department in 2011 to become chief of the SUNY New Paltz police. He also graduated from the college in 1985.

Starting Friday, Deputy Chief Mary Ritayik will serve as interim chief of the SUNY New Paltz police until the college takes the next steps in who will replace the chief full time.

Vice President for Student Affairs at SUNY New Paltz Stephanie Blaisdell told the Freeman that officer Ritayik joined SUNY New Paltz in 2000 and was promoted to university police investigator in 2003 and she held that position until taking on the role of deputy chief in 2013.

She also said that, “Dugatkin has agreed to be available through the summer to assist the deputy chief during the transition.”

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