WAPPINGERS FALLS – As the new village board prepared for the reorganization meeting following the recent elections, one trustee was “uncomfortable” with the number of village police officers in the room. Trustee Jeff Smith addressed the room on Monday before any business to voice his concerns.
“Looking out into the audience, I hope this is not a lynch mob,” he said to the large number of police officers in the audience. He intimated that he was fearful that he and his colleagues were going to be pulled over for traffic violations in retaliation for not reappointing Police Commissioner Paul Italiano.
One officer spoke up, saying ,”We’re not here for intimidation – we’re here in solidarity with Commissioner Italiano – in support of him.” Smith retorted saying,”It just doesn’t look right.”
Italiano, a 38-year law enforcement veteran, thanked the trustees for the opportunity to serve and then announced that he was resigning. The resignation will not be official until it is submitted to the clerk in writing and accepted by the trustees, according to a village employee. The trustees were also rumored to be voting to replace Italiano with former commissioner Carl Calabrese.
At the March 28 meeting of the village board, PBA Secretary, Detective Jenn Farrell touted the improvements to the department since Italiano took over as the fourth commissioner in five years. “It has been a full year since Commissioner Italiano was appointed to his position,” she said. “Since this date, there have been many positive changes within the department. As our members know all too well what it was like to work in an unstable, hostile work environment we wish to inform the board that there has been great progress with our agency since Commissioner Italiano has taken his position.”
Farrell, standing with her coworkers, listed numerous accomplishments and improvements that took place under Italiano, including compliance with state laws regarding criminal procedure and restarting the community policing initiative that had stalled before his arrival.
Rather than acknowledge the resignation, the trustees tabled the resolution naming a police commissioner until the April 10 meeting.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of the story indicated Lieutenant Paolo Capparelli was brought up on charges by Commissioner Italiano. Capparelli was not brought up on charges or suspended during his time with the department.
