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Mount Vernon Mayor Thomas Seeks Police Commissioner Successor

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Having helped reorganize the Mount Vernon Police Department, acting Commissioner of Public Safety Ronald Fatigate has announced his plans to return to retirement.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, pictured with former Police Commissioner Ronald Fatigate (second from left)

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, pictured with former Police Commissioner Ronald Fatigate (second from left)

Photo Credit: Contributed

Fatigate was a member of the Mount Vernon police force for two decades before retiring in 2010. He took over as interim police commissioner in March last year with “the understanding that he would be able to step down after he had dealt with the reorganization of the department,” Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said on Wednesday.

Thomas added that the city has received nearly 75 resumes from prospects hopeful of replacing Fatigate as police commissioner. Until the vacancy is filled, the Department of Public Safety will be led by Deputy Commissioner Shawn Harris.

“I understand his desire to move on so he can spend more time with his family. He has done a terrific job under tough circumstances and we are grateful to him for his efforts,” he said.

“In June of 2016, I put together a group of leading citizens from our community who were tasked with driving the search for a new Commissioner, a person who will have the skills and share our vision to transform this Department. The Public Safety Review Commission will continue to work on identifying new leadership for our Department of Public Safety.”

Acting Commissioner of Human Resources Melissa Ralph said that the Public Safety Review Commission has been regularly meeting to review candidates for Fatigate’s successor.

“The Commission has been immersing themselves into the current culture of the Mount Vernon Police Department and working to establish a new operational vision and create an environment that engenders trust on both sides of the badge,” Ralph added. “The Commission has been challenged to identify a leader who shares our vision. The Commission is reviewing applications on a rolling basis and they will screen, evaluate and identify candidates for the Mayor to select from.”

In a statement, Fatigate said he was “honored by the trust Mayor Richard Thomas has placed in me and it is a privilege to serve the people of Mount Vernon. My family has deep roots in this city and I am proud to continue our tradition of working for the city. At the appropriate time, I look forward to turning over the department to new leadership and stepping down to spend time with my family and enjoy retirement.”

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