Who We Are and What We Do
New York State University Police is a group of professional, highly trained and duly sworn law enforcement professionals. New York State University Police is a state law enforcement agency; wherein, its officers receive training from municipal police academies. The requirements to become a member of the University Police are among the most stringent in the country. University Police must have completed a minimum of 60 college credits, pass a written civil service exam and then compete with candidates from across the state for a position. An officer must then pass an extensive background investigation to receive an offer of employment.
One third of our officers are certified instructors in such topics as, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, OC Spray, Ethical Awareness, Live Scan Electronic Fingerprinting and Ethical Awareness. Officers also have acquired additional training in the areas of Radar Operation, Police Bicycle Patrol, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, Sexual Assault Investigations and Active Shooter.
A common misconception is that our primary function is to write parking tickets and lock or unlock doors. This simply is not true. Yes, we are responsible for ensuring the adherence of the parking rules and regulations, however, issuing parking citations does account for the smallest percentage our workday. University Police are not employed to perform security functions; rather, our goal is to provide a sense of security to the college community. Although, we do assist citizens with various services and programs, our primary objective, and the reason for our very existence, is law enforcement.
University Police Staff
Chief David Dugatkin
In June of 2011, Dugatkin came on board as the department's Chief of Police. Prior to that he served with the Town of New Paltz Police Department for 21 years. Throughout Dugatkin’s tenure with the Town of New Paltz, he implemented new programs and conducted extensive training within his department and regionally. He created and launched the department’s First Responder EMS program, is a New York State Certified Paramedic and served as Program Manager for New York State Accreditation, a four-year project that involved a full overhaul of the department’s policy and procedure manual.
Dugatkin has also worked closely with the University Police as an instructor, providing him in-depth knowledge of a modern campus police unit. For many years, the University Police Department and the New Paltz Police Department have worked cooperatively to coordinate law enforcement efforts between the Town, Village and College.
A 1985 alumnus of New Paltz, Dugatkin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Not only does this experience provide him with knowledge of student life and the challenges and situations students may encounter, but it’s also the foundation upon which he has built his successes.
Chief Dugatkin can be contacted directly at (845) 257-3337.
Investigator Mary Ritayik
Inv. Ritayik has been with the department since 2000 after transferring from SUNY Purchase. She graduated first in her class from the Westchester County Police Academy in 1999. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUNY Cortland. Inv. Ritayik is certified in Radar Operation, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, Verbal Judo, Rave and Club Drugs, Fraudulent Documents, Basic Criminal Investigations, Sexual Assault Investigation, Interview and Interrogation and photography from the FBI.
Lieutenant Johnny G. Coxum
Lt. Coxum started in May of 1998. Officer Coxum received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from SUNY Cortland. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for three years and has several years of experience as an undercover store detective. Lt. Coxum also has experience as a substitute teacher for Ulster County B.O.C.E.S. He is certified in Police Bicycle Patrol, Radar Operation, Rave and Club Drugs and is a field-training officer. Lt. Coxum is a certified Instructor for ethical awareness and management of aggressive behavior. Lt. Coxum is a R.A.D Instructor teaching Advanced and Aerosol Options and participates in many program on campus.
Lieutenant Michael Doyle
Lt. Doyle started as a Police Officer in the department in 1984. Lt. Doyle holds an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor's degree from SUNY New Paltz in Political Science. He is specifically trained to handle date rape cases and non-violent crisis intervention. He is an instructor for basic R.A.D. Women's Self Defense programs, and CPR/AED. He is certified with Radar/Lidar, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Datamaster (breath test operation), and Bicycle Patrol.
Lieutenant John Ritayik Jr.
Lt. Ritayik transferred to New Paltz in 1998 after two (2) years of service at SUNY Stony Brook. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Justice from SUNY Oswego. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Ritayik currently serves as the department's Firearms and Taser Instructor, as well as a Field Training Officer and Police Bicycle Patrol. Lt. Ritayik is certified in basic and advanced R.A.D. Women's Self Defense Programs.
Lieutenant Timothy Wurtz
Lt. Wurtz started as an Officer in 1985. He holds an Associate's degree from Ulster County Community College in Criminal Justice. Lt. Wurtz served as a jet mechanic in the United States Air Force, and is actively involved with Civil War Re-Enactments in the area. He is trained in DWI prosecution, and enforcement and drug interdiction.
Police Officer Juanta Carson
PO Carson has been employed by the University Police Department since graduation from the N.Y.P.D. training academy in 2008. She transferred to SUNY New Paltz in 2010. PO Carson is a Taser and R.A.D. Instructor.
Police Officer Maurice Catel
PO Catel has been with the University Police since 2009. He is an Army National Guard soldier and has served overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is certified in Radar/Lidar, Datamaster, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, and Active Shooter Training.
Police Officer Bruce Chambers
PO Chambers was hired by the University Police Department in 2005. He attended the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Academy from December 2005 - April 2006. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration at Marist College.
Police Officer Jim Coyle
PO Coyle started at SUNY Maritime and transferred to SUNY New Paltz in 1983. He holds a Bachelor's of Science from Hofstra University.
Police Officer Adam Darmstadt
PO Darmstadt began his career with University Police in 2004, after three (3) years of service with the NYPD in the 101 Precinct. He holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University. PO Darmstadt served four (4) years active duty in the U.S Navy as a special security officer.
Police Officer Gerry Kaleja
PO Kaleja started in 1993. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Lehman College, and is a member of the Navy Reserves. He served on active duty at the Pentagon from 2002-2003.
Police Officer Jenelle Kelsey
PO Kelsey transferred from SUNY Albany to SUNY New Paltzi n 2004, and completed the Ulster County Law Enforcement training course in December of 2004. She holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from SUNY Cortland. PO Kelsey has certifications in Radar Operation, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, Breathalyzer Operation, is a NYS Certified Crime Technician, and she is a General Topics Instructor. PO Kelsey is also a R.A.D Instructor (including RAD Kids). She is also on the board and an instructor for Carlie's Crusade which is an organization that deals with prevention of child abduction, Internet safety, and cyber bullying.
Police Officer Ryan Law
PO Law was hired by the University Police at SUNY New Paltz in 2009. PO Law entered into the U.S. Army Basic Training in 1998 and served in the Infantry until 2001. After being honorably discharged from the Army, PO Law attended SUNY Canton for Individual Studies taking Criminal Justice courses. In 2005 PO Law attended the New York State Correction Academy and was assigned as a Correction Officer to Shawangunk Correctional Facility. In 2009 PO law attended the Ulster County Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Police Officer David Melideo
PO Melideo came to our department from SUNY Maritime in 2000. He holds an A.A. S. degree in criminal justice from Schenectady County Community College. PO Melideo is certified in sex crimes investigation. PO Melideo is the recipient of the department’s award for excellent arrest in 2003.
Police Officer Gary Pietropaolo
PO Pietropaolo was hired by the University Police Department in 2010. He attended the Westchester County Police Academy from January 2011 - May 2011. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College, and has three (3) years experience as a police dispatcher. PO Pietropaolo is certified in Radar/Lidar Operation, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DWI Detection, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operation, and Active Shooter.
Police Officer Michael Puckett
PO Puckett has been with the University Police since 2006, transferring to New Paltz from SUNY Old Westbury. He worked with the Co-Op City Police, assigned to the department's Emergency Service Unit for four (4) years prior to working with SUNY. PO Puckett attended The Pennsylvania State University and SUNY Empire State College and holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently attending Marist College in Poughkeepsie where he is completing his Master's Degree in Public Administration. He is the police department's Accreditation Program Manager and also serves as a police officer with the Town of Lloyd in Highland, NY.
Police Officer William Ricci
PO Ricci attended Manhattan College in the Bronx. Officer Ricci worked as a New York City Correction Officer assigned to Rikers Island's Central Punitive Segregation Unit (CPSU), before coming to the New York State University Police. Officer Ricci attended the NYPD Police Academy in 2005, and worked at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, and SUNY Old Westbury on Long Island. Officer Ricci is a certified FEMA Emergency Manager, and has Department of Homeland Security training in response to Explosive Devices and Hazardous Material Incidents, New York State EMT, and Radar/Lider Operator.
Police Officer William Shaw
PO Shaw received an Associate's degree in Fisheris and Wildlife from SUNY Cobleskill. He also graduated from the Otsego County Law Enforcement Academy in 2005. He has been previously employed by the New Berlin and Cooperstown Police Departments. PO Shaw is a certified Police Instructor with the State of New York, and has been trained in Defensive Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Drug Test Kt. DWI Awareness, SFST, Police Bicycle Operation, OC Spray, Taser, Tactical Baton, CPR/AED, First Aid (First) Responder, and Active Shooter Response. He is also an active volunteer for CA programs in the Residence Halls on campus.
Police Officer Michael Sodders
PO Sodders transferred from SUNY Stony Brook. He has a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Stony Brook, and he graduated from the University Police Academy in August 1999.
Police Officer Gregory Thompson
PO Thompson began his career as a University Police Officer in 2000. Officer Thompson transferred to New Paltz from SUNY Old Westbury in 2011; he is a graduate of Westchester County Police Academy. He previously was a University Police Officer for the College of Southern Nevada Police Department in Las Vegas. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He received an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College. Officer Thompson is certified in Radar/Lidar operation.
Police Officer Victor Torres
PO Torres transferred to New Paltz in 1998 from SUNY Binghamton. He has served University Police since 1996. He has an A.A.S in Criminal Justice from Orange County Community College. PO Torres has certifications in Radar Operation, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, Rave and Club Drugs, Breathalyzer Operation and Police Bike Patrol. PO Torres is the recipient of the department's Chief's Award for 2003. He is a Basic R.A.D Instructor and is certified in Key Chain and Aerosol Defense options.
Police Officer Dave Vorisek
Officer Vorisek attended the academy from February-June 2003 at Dutchess County Sheriff's Department.
Police Officer Ryan Williams
PO Williams has been with the UPD since 2002. He served four (4) years active duty with the United States Army as a Sergeant in the infantry. He is certified in Radar/Lidar, Datamaster, SFST, and Active Shooter.
Secretary 1 Cecelia Tapley
Secretary Tapley has been with the University Police Department since 1993. Before working with the department she was employed as a stenographer with the State Department of Corrections. She worked for the School of Education in the Department of Educational Administration. She is a graduate of Berkley Secretarial School where she received her certification as a stenographer. She can be reached at (845) 257-3802.
