You (officially) have a new police chief

The Common Council Chamber was packed with a standing-room-only crowd as Mayor Joe DeStefano swore in new police Chief Ramon Bethencourt Monday night. Bethencourt then presented badges to three newly promoted lieutenants and three newly promoted sergeants.

The city’s police commission voted the promotion late Monday afternoon.

Bethencourt, a senior lieutenant who has been acting chief since November, is the first African-American police chief in Orange County.

Bethencourt has about 20 years of service as a police officer; he started out in Ellenville, but for the past 18 years he’s been a member of the Middletown Police Department.

Bethencourt’s two-year contract was approved Monday night by the Common Council. He’ll be paid $135,000 per year.

Bethencourt promised to serve the city with “honor, integrity and commitment.” He said he’s proud to be a member of this community.

Bethencourt presented badges to new lieutenants Francis Graziano, John Ewanciw and George Booth and new sergeants Jeffry Thoelen, Aaron Welch and Essam Khalil.The promotions were also decided by the police commission. Ewanciw will jping Lt. Gregory Metakes as one of two bureau commanders.

Mayor Joe DeStefano said 35 of the police department’s 75 current officers have four or fewer years of experience. It’s a young department, DeStefano said, and one that Bethencourt will be able to shape.

“It’s an important evening for the City of Middletown,” DeStefano said.