Members of the SUNY New Paltz campus community were advised today that David Dugatkin has stepped down as chief of the university police. His deputy, Mary Ritayik, has been named interim chief.
Dugatkin was placed on administrative leave last month; campus officials would not comment on the matter at that time. Last year, police union members parked a rolling billboard on campus as part of an effort to have him replaced.
In the statement from Stephanie Blaisdell, vice president for student affairs, the outgoing chief’s accomplishments since he took the position in 2011 were lauded. They include efforts to ensure university officers patrol public roads near the college, as well as stronger relations with other local law enforcement officers. State accreditation was granted to the department earlier this month.
During his tenure, a campus emergency response team was established and a mobile safety app called Rave was deployed. Dugatkin oversaw an active-shooter lockdown drill in Wooster Hall, and was involved in planning a campus-wide drill in the future.
Prior to taking over university police, Dugatkin was a member of the town police since 1990. He held the rank of detective sergeant when he left to take over the university department.
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