By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

Two recent resignations of part-time officers have prompted Liverpool Police Chief Don Morris to hire a former Camillus officer to help fill the void.

“And we expect a third resignation in the near future,” Morris said.

At their Sept. 21 meeting, the village trustees unanimously approved the hiring of Sean Edwards, a retired Town of Camillus Police sergeant, pending the full completion of the LPD’s background check. 

“Sean is a dedicated individual who enjoys all aspects of police work,” Morris informed the trustees via memo. “I believe that Sean Edwards would be an asset to the Liverpool PD.”

Edwards served as a detective in Camillus for 18 years before being promoted to sergeant. From 1999 to 2002, he worked as a deputy in the Onondaga County Sherriff’s Office.

One of the two most recent resignations was attributed to pressure brought to bear by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officer Joseph Clabaugh resigned on Sept. 9.

His full-time position in another department is requiring additional hours, Clabaugh informed Morris. He also reported that he has had to assume the role of home-school teacher for his grandson due to the pandemic. 

Officer Nick DiBrango resigned on Sept. 22 because he needs to put in more hours on his full-time police job elsewhere. 

The Liverpool Police Department is now comprised of four full-time officers and eight part-timers including the chief.

Morris helmed the LPD from 1999 to 2007, before taking the top job in East Syracuse. He was rehired part-time in 2012. LPD Police Clerk Brenda Giacchi has held that post for nearly 35 years.

Sgt. Gerry Unger was hired in 2009 and Sgt. Dave Sturtz came aboard in 2011.

Officer Sean Pierce has worked full time since 2001, and full-timer Kevin Greenwood was hired three years ago.

The part-time roster includes John Praskey hired in 2004, Marcus Lukins hired in 2013, Tom Bingham and Dave Butler hired in 2014, John Linnertz hired in 2015, Rob Marshall hired in 2016 and Dana Vinch hired in 2018. 

August police stats

Morris informed the village board at its Sept. 21 meeting that officers made 194 traffic stops and issued 187 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws during August. In addition, six accidents were investigated. Officers made 144 residential checks during the month while investigating a total of 441 complaints, incidents and calls for service.

The department arrested a total of 28 individuals last month on 41 criminal charges.