Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli is on his way to Washington, resigning on September 15th to take up a job with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Ciminelli was named police chief during Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren’s first term in 2014. Mayor Warren says in a statement that he provided strong and steady leadership, introducing innovations including body-worn cameras and her desire to go back to neighborhood patrol sections. Warren also credits the chief with a “second to none level of professionalism” and greater police accountability.
Taking over from Chief Ciminelli will be Deputy Chief Mark Simmons, currently head of the departments Administrative Bureau. He’ll serve as interim chief while the city conducts a national search for a permanent replacement. Simmons is a Rochester native and the mayor says she’s encouraging him to apply for the police chief’s job permanently. He’s been with the department since 2002.
The mayor says she has faith in Simmons and believes he’ll work to protect and serve the citizens of Rochester and ensure the safety of Rochester police officers.