Detective Sergeant Nick Giaccone was appointed Hanover Police chief last week by Hanover Town Manager Cliff Vermilya. Giaccone replaces the late Kurt Schimke.
Giaccone, a 21-year veteran of the town's police department, had been acting as the temporary head of the force since Schimke died of a sudden heart attack in a basketball game on Jan. 25.
In a press release, Vermilya said he was "extremely pleased" to have 46-year-old Giaccone take over as police chief.
"Nick has done an admirable job of running the department since January," he said. "I look forward to working with Nick in continuing to raise the level of professional police service delivered to Hanover citizens."
College Proctor Bob McEwen has been meeting with Giaccone over the past six months and said he "looks forward to meeting with him on a regular basis."
McEwen said he used to hold similar meetings with Schimke to discuss issues that involved both the town and the College, like alcohol use and sexual assault.
McEwen said he thinks Giaccone will be actively involved with the College community.
"I don't think you can be a police chief in a college town and not be part of, or want to be part of, the ongoing communication that must exist," he said.
"My meetings with him over the interim period have been very good meetings," McEwen said. "We have talked a lot about issues on campus."
Giaccone told the Valley News he hopes to continue the philosophy Schimke brought to the department. He said he did not plan to make any changes.
Giaccone could not be reached for further comment last night.
