After 35 years in law enforcement, Little Falls Police Chief Gregg DeLuca has announced his retirement effective May 31.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the city as a police officer, police sergeant and chief of police for 22 years of my 35-year career in law enforcement,” said DeLuca, who informed the Police and Fire Board of his intentions to retire Monday night.
“Gregg DeLuca was an asset to the city of Little Falls and he will be missed,” said Mayor Bob Peters. “Not only was he chief of police, but he was a friend to many people in the city, including myself. He was a credit to our police department and to his profession.”
DeLuca joined the Little Falls Police Department in September 1973, and was promoted to sergeant in May 1977. He left Little Falls in January 1982 to take a job as Herkimer County undersheriff, a position he held for five years. DeLuca also served as Herkimer police chief for six years, resigning from that position in November 1992. He later took a job as head of security at Sangertown Mall, New Hartford, the post he left to take the top spot in Little Falls. He was named temporary police chief in November 1996, with his appointment becoming permanent in April 1997.
At the time of his appointment as chief of police, DeLuca filled the vacancy left by the July 1996 death of Frank J. Lawrence Sr.
Lawrence, who died at the age of 70, had served as police chief for 26 years.
In 2005, DeLuca informed the Police and Fire Board of his intentions to retire by 2007 at the latest.
At that time the now 56-year-old suggested the board take the necessary steps to offer a Civil Service exam for police chief and assistant police chief to enable the commissioners to fill future vacancies as they might occur. The move, DeLuca said at the time, would enable the board to replace Assistant Chief Mike Masi should he ultimately be named as his successor.
In announcing his retirement on Monday, DeLuca recommended Masi be given every consideration for the chief’s position.
“Without a doubt, he has the necessary training, education, experience and proven dedication to do an outstanding job, and I certainly hope that his last efforts and accomplishments will not be overlooked in any deliberations to name my successor,” said DeLuca.
Peters said a special meeting will be scheduled, during which the commissioners will interview the current assistant chief of police for the position. He said Masi could assume the duties as police chief as soon as June 1, if the Police and Fire Board approves his appointment.
Speaking about the possibility of appointing Masi as the city’s top cop, the mayor said, “I know Mike can handle the job.”
“City hall is going to be an empty place without Gregg,” said Peters. “I know he is looking forward to doing other things, and I wish him well. He served our police department and our city with professionalism and dedication, and it was a privilege to work alongside him.”
DeLuca said he plans to remain active in the training aspect of law enforcement, as he said he was proud to have been involved in the establishment of the Little Falls Police Academy, and with his involvement with the Law Enforcement Training Directors Association of New York.
“It’s time to retire,” DeLuca said Monday. “It’s time to join the ranks of the regular citizenry.”