LT. Ted Schwartz Named Acting Chief of Ithaca Police Department
“Lt. Schwartz’s long and distinguished service with the IPD ideally situates him to fill this role, and I am deeply grateful to him for doing so,” said Mayor Laura Lewis. “This appointment is a crucial and concrete step towards maintaining IPD’s operational integrity and the safety of the public that will allow for a smooth transition to a permanent Chief.”
“I look forward to leading the department in this critical time of need, and offering stability until a permanent chief is selected,” said Acting Chief Schwartz. “In the interim, I will be examining different avenues to support the great officers currently at IPD as well as continuing our ongoing recruitment of the best candidates for our vacant police officer positions in partnership with the City Administration."
A native Ithacan, Acting Chief Schwartz was hired by the Ithaca Police Department in 2011. As Operations Sergeant, he oversaw the training division for IPD, K9 Program, Fleet, and Special Event Details. He was then promoted to Lieutenant and supervised the midnight Patrol Platoon until he was re-assigned to Lieutenant of Investigations March 2020.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Ithaca Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in our community by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the U.S> Constitution. We strive to preserve peace and to provide a safe environment for all of our residents and visitors.
Responsibilities
All Ithaca Police Department police officers possess the powers and authority provided in the Criminal Procedural Law and all other applicable statutes of New York State. They also perform duties prescribed by the City of Ithaca Charter for the preservation of public peace, the care of city property, and the enforcement of the police regulations and municipal orders of the City of Ithaca.
Community Involvement
A strong emphasis is placed on community policing, and we value the partnerships we have established with other law enforcement agencies, service organizations, businesses, and our local residents. We're proud of the fact that Ithaca was ranked as the number 1 most secure city in the United States with a population under 150,000, as well as having been ranked number 3 for lowest metropolitan crime rate in the country. We ask you to join us in our mission to keep Ithaca a safe and healthy community.
Use of Force Policy
Mayor Myrick and Chief Nayor feel that transparency in policing has to be a top priority. That is why they are are proud to publish publicly for the first time the department's new progressive policy governing the
"Use of Force." This policy, developed over months is in line with national experts and informed by President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing.
The main responsibility of Department officers is to protect the life and property of civilians. In compliance with applicable law, officers shall use only the amount of force necessary and reasonable to accomplish lawful objectives and to control a situation, effect an arrest, overcome resistance to arrest, or defend themselves or others from harm. When force is necessary, the degree of force employed should be in direct relationship to the amount of resistance exerted, or the immediate threat to the officers or others. There is a compelling public interest that officers authorized to exercise the use of force do so in an objectively reasonable manner and in a way that does not violate the civil rights guaranteed by our Constitution and applicable law.
Officers who use excessive or unjustified force degrade the confidence of the community that they serve, undermine the legitimacy of a police officer’s authority, and hinder the Department’s ability to provide effective law enforcement services to the community. Officers who use excessive or unauthorized force shall be subject to discipline, possible criminal prosecution, and/or civil liability. The use of force is only authorized when it is objectively reasonable and for a lawful purpose. Accordingly, the Department will thoroughly review and/or investigate all uses of force by officers to assure compliance with all legal requirements and this policy.
