Specialty Units

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The Town of Chester Detective Division is currently staffed by Detective Lee Slaughter. He was promoted to detective in 2018 following the retirement of Detective Janice Oppmann. The division is supervised by Administrative Sergeant Vitale.

The investigating detective is assigned the cases for any criminal matters that require an investigation. The detective also assists the other officers in various cases through interviews, the collection of paperwork, acquiring of records through subpoenas and other methods and other investigative tasks, as needed. The division has solved cases with the use of DNA and stays in tune with today’s changing technology regarding the science of solving cases.

Detectives are also responsible for the recording, tracking and execution of most warrants issued by the local town court.  They also maintain the department’s Sex Offender Registry information and insure that the registered sex offenders who reside in the town comply with the requirements of their risk level.  Detective Slaughter also completes background checks for applicants to the Town of Chester Police Department and for other agencies when requested.

Detective Slaughter may be reached at (845) 469-7000 Ext. 367, and tips may be left at (845) 469-7000 Ext. 370. Tips may be left anonymously, if you wish.

In 2022, the Town of Chester Police Department created it’s first K9 unit. The unit currently consists of Officer Michael Dunlop and K9 Lou. The initial startup costs were largely covered by grants and donations. Officer Dunlop is an experienced having previously served as a K9 handler for the Greenwood Lake Police Department with his partner Vaughn. K9 Lou is currently certified in Explosives Detection and will be attending K9 Patrol School in 2023.

Officer Richard Perez started serving at the Chester Academy and Chester Elementary School as the School Resource Officer on a part-time basis in January 2019. He completed SRO training in October 2018. He has been serving in a full-time capacity as the SRO since the 2019-20 school year. Officer Jan Oppmann served as our first School Resource Officer from 2005 through 2011.  The Chester Elementary School serves students in the Chester Union Free School District from pre-K through grade 5 and the Chester Academy serves students in grades 6 through 12.

In December 2022, we also began assigning an officer to the Chester Elementary School while school was in session. SRO Perez no longer has to split his time between the two school buildings and both schools are now staffed with officers. Officer Jeffrey DeLuca and Officer Christopher Donato are primarily assigned as the SSOs at Chester Elementary.

Officers Perez, DeLuca and Donato (left to right above) all have years of experience, training and service and are all veterans of the US Armed Forces.
– Officer Perez has been with the Town of Chester Police Department since 2006 and previously worked as a police officer with the Department of Defense Police and the Department of Homeless Services Police. He is a veteran of the US Coast Guard.
– Officer DeLuca is a retired sergeant from the nearby Monroe Police Department and began his law enforcement career in the Village and Town of Chester Police Departments. He is a veteran of the US Air Force and a Chester HS graduate. He returned to the town as a part-time officer in 2017.
– Officer Donato is retired from the New York City Police Department. He is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and a Chester HS graduate. He started working as a part-time officer with the town in 2022.

One of the most important aspects of the School Safety program is the ability of the officer to develop teamwork in fighting many problems that the students of today are facing. The basic outline of duties for the SRO include investigating crimes that occur within the school and on school property, creating a positive role model for the students, creating a link between law enforcement and the students, and being a resource for parents, staff, administration and students in regards to law enforcement and community problems.

The SRO and SSOs work with the school administration, educators and counselors. Each role is dependent on the needs of the situation.

Officer Perez has an office in the Chester Academy and is available for students who seek his assistance. He serves as the department’s link to the school community. He provides instruction on various law enforcement related topics during the school year to both faculty and staff. Officer Perez, Administrative Sgt. Vitale and Chief Doellinger coordinated the planning and implementation of underage drinking deterrent programs, including a mock DWI crash scenario, during the week before the prom.