Ramapo Police Chief Reilly Announces Retirement

by M.C. Millman

Ramapo Police Chief Martin Reilly announced his retirement after thirty-seven years with the Ramapo Police Department. 

Captain Danny Hyman will be sworn in at a ceremony on June 6.  His promotion will be effective as of June 15.  

"I am proud to pass the reins to Danny," Reilly says. "I know he will do an excellent job as he has the support of the men and women in our police department as well as the town board, and I think he'll do great work here."

"Chief Reilly is a wonderful leader," Captain Danny Hyman tells Rockland Daily. "We followed a similar trajectory in our careers. He has been an amazing colleague and mentor. It’s an honor to have been selected to follow in his footsteps. I look forward to serving the Ramapo community and working alongside our dedicated employees.  We are very lucky here in the Town of Ramapo to have municipal leaders who truly care about the safety and security of our residents."

Reilly served for three years in his present position of chief of police. Reilly came to the Town of Ramapo Police Department with two years of service for the Town of Woodbury, culminating in a total of 39.5 years of law experience. 

"I built a career of memories in a great community and with great people," Chief Reilly reminisced with Rockland Daily when asked about the most memorable moment of his career, "creating a compilation of everything that led to this moment in time today. I'm very proud of our police department, which has evolved into what it is today. Our officers are the best of the best, and the support we get from the community is basically like no other.

"The Town of Ramapo is an extremely diverse community, and the Ramapo Police Department respects all the cultures that make up our diverse community. We are known to work well with all the groups that make up the Town of Ramapo.

"When I started my career, I was basically given a nightstick gun with six bullets and belt loops with a place for those bullets. Over time, the police department has evolved into using less lethal tools and practicing de-escalation."

The police chief looks forward to spending more time with family after his retirement. 

"Family is the number one thing in my life," the chief shares. "I also value the Ramapo Police Department family we have here, and I know I will miss everybody from the members of the police department to members of the community with whom I've developed close relationships with over the years."

Reilly went on to thank Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht, Chief of Staff Mona Montal, Deputy Supervisor Brendel Logan, and Town Council members Michael Rossman, Yehuda Wiessmandl, and David Wanounou.

"We wish Chief Reilly a long, healthy enjoyable, well-earned retirement," says Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht.  "During his tenure as Ramapo Police Chief, he earned the respect and admiration of the members of the Ramapo Police Department, the public he served, and all of us on the Town Board through his professionalism, integrity, selfless dedication, and commitment to always doing what's right. These are the same qualities he demonstrated every day throughout his 37-year career with our Police Department. He brought RPD to new heights of excellence, and all of us will miss him," 

"I've worked with some of the best cops around," the chief concluded. "And the police officers that serve the Town of Ramapo are second to none. They always step up and work hard to make sure our community is safe. They are truly dedicated professionals who care about our residents and visitors."