ALBANY – Dutchess County resident Dominick Chiumento, a colonel with the New York State Police has been named “acting superintendent” of the department, replacing Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli. who submitted his resignation recently after being informed he would not be named superintendent of the 5,000-strong force by Governor Hochul.
Nigrellis is allegedly being investigated for sexual harassment that occurred during his 32-year tenure with the department.
Chiumento, 55, was given the new title on October 6, the same day Nigrelli’s resignation was official. He had been serving as the Acting Field Commander, according to the New York State Police website.
Prior to being named Acting Field Commander, Colonel Chiumento served as the Deputy Superintendent of Administration. In this role, he supervised Budget and Finance, the Forensic Laboratory System, Facilities and Buildings, Fleet Management, Central Records, Pistol Permit Bureau, The Business Integration Services Unit, CJIS, The Portfolio Management Office, and Communications. In that position, according to troopers speaking on condition of anonymity, Chiumento was well-known for making complaints against entire barracks of troopers for undercarriage damage on the Dodge Charger patrol vehicles. The vehicles are low-riding sedans that are routinely driven through highway medians when responding to emergencies. Most other departments have switched to SUVs such as Ford Explorers to overcome that impediment.
Several members of the force have told Mid-Hudson News that Governor Hochul is hinting at naming a superintendent from outside to head the state police. One candidate is likely to be a high-ranking black female officer from the New York City Police Department.
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