North Castle Appoints Fisher to Become Next Police Chief
Veteran North Castle police Lt. William Fisher was unanimously appointed to lead the department Wednesday night succeeding longtime Chief Robert D’Angelo.
Fisher, who has been with the department since 1979, has risen through the ranks similarly to D’Angelo. He will take over after Friday, which will be D’Angelo’s final day on the job.
Fisher said he will have difficult shoes to fill, calling D’Angelo and other past chiefs “all great men.”
“Being appointed chief is probably the biggest challenge of my career,” Fisher said at Wednesday night’s town board meeting. “I appreciate it.”
He will earn a $130,166 salary in the post, a $10,000 raise over his current pay, Town Administrator Joan Goldberg said.
Last month when the town board approved North Castle’s 2013 budget, Supervisor Howard Arden said that they anticipated D’Angelo’s retirement and that one of the department’s three lieutenants would be elevated to chief. As a result, the vacated lieutenant’s slot will not be filled, saving the town a projected $190,000.
D’Angelo, who just passed his 40th anniversary with the department on Jan. 1 and served nearly 22 years as chief, officially informed the town board of his intention to retire in a Dec. 21 letter to the board. Among his accomplishments was to introduce D.A.R.E into the Byram Hills School District, launch the Bike Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Accident Investigation Unit. Under D’Angelo’s tenure he hired the first full-time youth officer.
Perhaps his biggest accomplishment was seeing the department become an accredited police agency in 2000. It has twice been re-accredited with another reaccreditation due in 2015.
In his letter to the board, D’Angelo cited a desire to spend time with family but did not specify what other endeavors he might pursue.
“Now it’s time to move on to the next phase of my life and spend time with my family, including my five grandchildren,” he stated.
Fisher said he has a full plate with many issues to address but made sure to thank D’Angelo for his preparing him for his new role.
“I have to thank Chief D’Angelo who always had the support and the confidence in me as a supervisor and an administrator all the time,” he said.
Arden and board members said that the town has been fortunate to have two dedicated police leaders in town for so long. Their dedication and expertise was on display in helping the town prepare for and cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
“It’s one of the things that made the town great,” said Councilman Michael Schiliro.
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