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In a move that came as a shock to many in the community, including members of the police department, the Village Newark Board voted, at a special meeting held on Thursday night, to appoint Newark native David L. Christler as Interim Police Chief for the Newark Police Department.

Christler, who retired from the New York State Police at the end of 2006 with the rank of Colonel-Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Police, began his career as a uniformed trooper in 1974.

It was back on May 27th when the Board unanimously announced that Newark Police Investigator Gary VerStraete would be appointed ‘Officer In Charge' after the retirement of longtime Police Chief Dick Bogan.

The Village, under requirements, had to appoint an interim chief within 90 days. At the time of his appointment, VerStraete announced he would also apply for the interim chief position as well as the permanent appointment as Chief of the Newark Police, after the required civil service police chief's test, scheduled to be given in May of 2009.

According to sources, Newark Mayor Pete Blandino informed VerStraete of the Board's decision on Friday morning. Prior to his appointment as the ‘officer-in-charge' VerStraete, a 19 year veteran of the force, served in dual roles in the Department as a investigator and as the School Resource Officer.

The retirement of Chief Bogan stretched an already thin force. One of the Department's officers is out on military leave and two officers are out on disability. The force is reportedly down a total of six officers at this time.

According to Blandino, the pay package being offered to Christler is to be negotiated. “Pay is not an issue with him (Christler) said the Village Mayor.

Christler has been busy since his retirement working on the design and construction of the Federal Drug Enforcement building in Plattsburg.

The former State Deputy Superintendent is 59 years old and said he was eager to return to law enforcement and public safety and ready to serve his life-long hometown Newark . David and his wife Diane have been married for 32 years. The couple who reside on Pine Ridge Drive in Newark have two grown daughters - Amy who resides in San Diego and Lauren who resides in Newark .

Christler said he has every intention of taking the open civil service police chief's test in May and applying for the permanent position as Newark Police Chief. He added that after 32 years on the road, Diane is very supportive of his decision to finally settle down.

There could be a roadblock to Christler's and the board's wishes for him to become chief. Under Civil Service law, current members of the Newark Police department may request a police chief ‘promotional test.' That test too would probably be given in May. Under civil service law, those taking the promotional test are given preference for the job over those taking the ‘competitive' test. If three, or more current Newark officers take and pass the test, regardless of how Christler scores on his test, he will not be eligible for list for the Newark Police Chief permanent position.

Wayne County Interim Personnel Director Jennifer Mortier, said she has met with Mayor Blandino who also traveled to Albany for a correct understanding of the civil service laws as they apply to testing for the police chief position.

Mortier said the Mayor was hopeful that once Christler is in the interim position, the current Newark Police Officers will accept him and possibly back off from taking the ‘promotional' test.

Mortier said that if only two of the current handful of officers who have expressed interest in setting up and taking the promotional test pass the test, Christler could be on the final list of three qualifying civil service candidates the Board has to select from.

The County Personnel Director said that officers currently on the force and other potential candidates could also take the open test and outscore Christler, bumping him from the top three candidate choices.

Another road block to Christler's appointment may come in the 211 requirements involved in just how much a retired state worker can continue working and draw his/her full retirement. Christler, according to Mortier, can earn only up to $30,000 before he begins losing a chunk of his retirement package.

Mortier said the number of factors coming into play for the Newark Police Chief's position should make for an interesting year until the civil service tests are given.

Christler's name had also been circulated for running for Wayne County Sheriff, something he said he would not consider while his friend, Sheriff Richard Pisciotti still wished to hold the position.