By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

The North Syracuse Police Department said goodbye last month to Chief Michael J. Crowell, who took his oath of office as the Manlius Police Department chief Oct. 16.

Crowell is returning to his roots, as he spent 17 years of his law enforcement career in Manlius.

“As much as I’ve loved working for North Syracuse my heart’s always been here,” Crowell said.

Manlius Town Supervisor Ed Theobald said Crowell’s 28 years of law enforcement experience and his time spent in Manlius were key in his selection as the new chief.

“His familiarity, experience and understanding the town of Manlius [were] instrumental in the hiring him as the chief of police,” Theobald said.

Crowell began his career in law enforcement with the village of East Syracuse in 1989, and transferred to the Manlius PD in 1995. In 2012 Crowell left to become chief in North Syracuse.

During his five years with the North Syracuse PD, Crowell updated the agency’s written directive system, improved training and led the agency to state accreditation.

Francis Marlowe retired as Manlius police chief in February 2017.

“I didn’t really seek it out, so to speak, but my name was thrown around,” Crowell said of Marlowe’s vacancy. “It just became a natural thing. … I only left because the chief’s job was offered to me North Syracuse. It literally was a great homecoming.”

North Syracuse Mayor Gary Butterfield said Crowell “did an excellent job” during his time with the village.

“Our interim police chief spoke highly of our department and what Chief Crowell has done,” Butterfield said. “He said, ‘The house is in order.’”

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office has provided an interim police chief for North Syracuse.

Eagle Newspapers staff writer Hayleigh Gowans contributed to this report.