New York – Former Troop F Commander to Become State Police Superintendent

New York – A Goshen native and former commander of the state police in the mid-Hudson is poised to become the new acting state police superintendent, after a scandal swirling around Gov. David Paterson claimed another high-ranking official Tuesday.

Deputy Superintendent John P. Melville, who holds the rank of field commander of all uniformed personnel, will become the acting superintendent Friday. He succeeds Pedro Perez, who announced his retirement Tuesday. That came on the heels of last week’s sudden retirement of Superintendent Harry Corbitt. Perez and Corbitt have both been linked to state police contact with Paterson aide David Johnson, who was accused of assaulting a New York City woman last year.

Melville, 55, gained wide respect for rising through the ranks from trooper to captain supervising investigators in the mid-Hudson, to troop commander in Middletown-based Troop F from January 2004 through May 2006.

A state police supervisor who served alongside Melville for years said he’s seen by the rank-and-file as an outsider, since Paterson’s circle is dominated by New York City and Albany insiders.

“He’s an outsider who’s got a lot of good ideas that haven’t been implemented,” the supervisor said, speaking anonymously because of the political climate.

“He’s done everything on this job: He’s supervised homicide investigations, he’s been a hostage negotiator. He’s always an even-tempered, fair-minded guy, respected in the community as well as on the job — you just can’t say enough good things about him.”

Melville wasn’t available for comment Tuesday.

In a joint statement, the presidents of the unions representing about 4,850 uniformed troopers and plainclothes investigators said Paterson should “appoint a strong, progressive leader to restore confidence in the management of the New York State Police.”

That appointment would be subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

News Source:  Record

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