Chief Raymond Bryant
Chief Bryant started here in 1977 and became a Lieutenant in 1983. He has held assignments as an Investigator, Administrative Lieutenant and Training Counselor at the University Police Academy in Albany. In 1996, Bryant transferred to the University at Albany Police Department where he headed up the Quality of Life Unit. In September 2002, Bryant returned to New Paltz as Captain of Patrol. Chief Bryant has an A.A.S in Criminal Justice from Ulster County Community College and holds a B.S in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz. Served in the US Navy 1969-1973 on the USS Great Sitkin AE 17.

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.

Captain Patricia Castellano
Captain Castellano started work at the Police Department during her years here as a College student. She then became a Police Officer in 1974 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1984. In 1996, Captain Castellano became the Administrative Lieutenant for our department. Captain Castellano has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from SUNY New Paltz, is trained in rape crisis intervention, and is a State Certified General Topics Instructor. Castellano is the recipient of the department’s Chief’s Award for Professionalism for 2003.

Lieutenant Ray Smith
Lt. Smith started at the Police Department in 1979. He attended Ulster Community College for Criminal Justice. He was a
Rosendale Police Officer for two years before joining the University Police Department. Lt. Smith has been instrumental in
coordinating and participating in community related fundraisers within the department. He is an active member of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to granting wishes for critically and terminally ill children. Officer Smith is also involved in the daily operations of his hometown Babe Ruth Baseball League.

Lieutenant Mike Doyle
Lt. Doyle started as a Police Officer at the department in 1984. Lt. Doyle holds an Associates degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelors degree from SUNY New Paltz in Political Science. He is specially trained to handle date rape cases and Non- Violent Crisis Intervention.

Lieutenant Timothy Wurtz
Lt. Wurtz started as an officer in 1985. He holds an Associates 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-Enactment’s in the area. He is trained in DWI Prosecution and Enforcement and Drug Interdiction.

Police Officer John Bartula
PO Bartula began his career with University Police in 1979 and came to New Paltz in 1982. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Marist College. He is a certified instructor and has been trained in major crime cases and sex offense investigations. PO Bartula is also certified in standard field sobriety testing, Radar Operation and is a field-training officer. He is active in civil war re-enactments and is a published author of three short stories.

Police Officer Robert Bramley
PO Bramley started at the Police Department in 1981. He was a Town of New Paltz Police officer for six years before coming to SUNY New Paltz. He holds an Associates degree from Ulster County Community College in Police Science. Officer Bramley is responsible for starting the Mountain Bike Patrol and is a State Certified General Topics Instructor. In July of 1999, Officer Bramley became our Firearms Instructor certified through the New York State Police Department.

Police Officer Johnny G. Coxum
PO 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. He is certified in Police Bicycle Patrol, Radar Operation, Rave and Club Drugs and is a field-training officer. PO Coxum is a certified Instructor for ethical awareness and management of aggressive behavior. PO Coxum is a R.A.D Instructor teaching Advanced and Aerosol Options and participates in many programs on campus. He spends his time off with family or working as a substitute teacher for Ulster County B.O.C.E.S.

Police Officer Jim Coyle
PO Coyle started at SUNY Maritime and transferred to SUNY New Paltz in 1983. He holds a Bachelors of Science from Hofstra University.

Police Officer Gerry Kaleja
PO Kaleja started in 1993. He holds a Bachelors 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 Robert Maines
PO Maines has been employed with our department since 1980. Prior to that he was employed for two years with the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department. He obtained his A.A.S degree from SUNY Morrisville. Officer Maines has been instrumental in the departments training in the use of the PR-24 Police Baton and pepper spray. He is certified in Radar Operation and Standard Field Sobriety Testing. PO Maines is an instructor of O.C (pepper) Spray, expandable straight baton and management of aggressive behavior. He is a 1998 recipient of the University Police Chief’s award for professionalism.

Police Officer David Melideo
PO Melideo came to our department from SUNY Maritime in 2000 and has 18 years of service with University Police. 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 John Ritayik, Jr.
PO Ritayik transferred to New Paltz in 1998 after two years of service at SUNY Stonybrook. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in public justice from SUNY Oswego. He is a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and recently returned from a 12-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. PO Ritayik is certified in police bicycle patrol, Rave and Club Drugs and standard Field Sobriety testing. He is an honor graduate of the general topics instructor school, as well as a Firearms Instructor. PO Ritayik is certified in Basic and Advanced R.A.D Women’s Self Defense.

Police Officer Ryan Williams
PO Williams has been with the UPD since 2002. He served four 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.

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.

Cecelia Tapley
Secretary Cecelia has been with the SUNY New Paltz Police department since 1993. She can be reached at (845) 257-3802.

Police Officer Bruce Chambers
PO Chambers was hired by the Univesity 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. PO Chambers is certified in DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Breath Test Operation, Radar/Lidar Operation, and Active Shooter Response.

Police Officer Jenelle Kelsey
PO Kelsey started at SUNY Albany in 1999. She transferred to SUNY New Paltz in 2004 and completed the Ulster County Law Enforcement training course in December of 2004. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree from SUNY Cortland. PO Kelsey has certifications in Radar Operation, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, Breathalyzer Operation and she is a General Topics Instructor. PO Kelsey is a R.A.D Instructor and is certified in ATV operation. She is active with Hudson Valley PBA React Program (Carlie’s Crusade) that deals with prevention of child abduction and internet education to the surrounding areas. Carlie’s Crusade is currently being taught to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Surrounding area schools. In the Fall of 2006, PO Kelsey will be teaching RADkids, our newest outreach program!

Police Officer Adam Darmstadt
PO Darmstadt began his career with University Police in 2004, after three 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 years active duty in the U.S Navy as a special security officer.

Police Officer William Shaw
PO Shaw attended SUNY Cobleskill for an associates degree in Fisheries & Wildlife. In 2004 Officer Shaw worked as a Security Officer for Hartwick College in Oneonta NY. Officer Shaw attended the Otsego Law Enforcement Academy in March of 2005 and graduated with training in Field Sobriety Testing, DWI Detection, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Active Shooter and RADAR/LIDAR. Officer Shaw was previously employed for the Town of New Berlin Police Department since March of 2005 and Cooperstown Police Department since December of 2005.