REMOTE SUPPORT
Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.
On December 5, 2001, Nancy Smith, a 32-year-old resident was found deceased in her house on Provost Drive in New Windsor. On that day, Smith’s parents received a call from her office saying that Smith had not shown up to work at the Horton Hospital in Middletown. Concerned, they went to check on Smith at her New Windsor home on Provost Drive, where they found her deceased on the living room floor. Nancy’s death was the result of a vicious attack and the investigation into her murder began.
As the 20th Anniversary of Nancy’s death approaches, the detectives from New Windsor Police Department are, once again, asking for the community’s assistance in identifying Nancy’s killer. To date, over 900 investigative leads have been pursued by members of the NWPD, New York State Police, Orange County District Attorney’s Office and several other Local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies. Over the last few years, detectives have re-examined evidence in this case, re-interviewed witnesses, friends, family members, co-workers and other persons from Nancy’s life. Representatives from both public criminal and private DNA laboratories have been consulted, seeking the latest testing methods and technologies available. So far, we have been unable to identify the perpetrator.
The New Windsor Police Department would like to encourage members of the community to call us with any information they may have about this murder. Any piece of information would help, no matter how small or insignificant a person may feel their information would be. For 20 years, investigators and family members have been trying to find the missing pieces to the puzzle for this crime. There is still a reward of $20,000 being offered, for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person(s) responsible for Nancy’s death.
Investigators working this investigation can be reached at 845-563-4657 or by email at [email protected].
On January 27, 2021, the New Windsor Police Department arrested William M. Hinspeter, 48-years old of New Windsor, NY for stealing from the New Windsor Little League organization after a four-month long investigation by Detectives. Mr. Hinspeter, who formerly served the New Windsor Little League organization as its President, made a series of unauthorized debit card cash withdrawals for his own personal use between the dates of October 1, 2018 and August 31, 2020. Mr. Hinspeter was arraigned on a criminal charge of Petit Larceny in New Windsor Justice Court. He plead guilty to the charge in the presence of his attorney and he was sentenced to a conditional discharge. Additionally, Mr. Hinspeter has paid $6,500. in restitution back to the New Windsor Little League organization.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-14 Issued on: August 28, 2023
On Sunday, August 27, 2023 New Windsor Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Little Britain Rd. in the area of Executive Dr. While the accident was being investigated, Police Officer Maria Schettini was directing traffic around the crash site when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene and was subsequently stopped by officers over a mile away. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Claudia A. Rudin, 74, of New Windsor. Officer Schettini was transported by New Windsor Emergency Medical Services Ambulance to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh for treatment. She was admitted to the hospital and remains in stable condition. The incident is still under investigation. New Windsor Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Moore of the Town of New Windsor Police Department at (845) 565-7000.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Town of New Windsor Police Department is pleased to announce the receipt and installation of the Axis Body Worn Camera system for the members of the Department. The Department received 50 Cameras at a total one-time cost of $37,600. This includes integration into the existing server platform which meets CJIS Federal and New York State DCJS requirements for storage and security. $29,000 of the $37,600 was donated from businesses and community stakeholders from throughout the Town. These body cameras will help to increase transparency, public trust, and confidence with the Public as well as assist in investigations. With Pricing quotes coming in as high as $234,000, the Department was very happy to be put in contact with the Axis Communications from our Town IT (internet technology) Department. Axis is already a vendor with the Town for their security camera platform which is utilized at numerous Town owned property. By going with the Axis Company, New Windsor Police is the first Department in the Tri-state area to utilize their camera system. The camera had great results during the test phase and with a one-time cost of $37,600 it became apparent that Axis was the right company for this task. Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “The implementation of this body camera technology in New Windsor is a huge step forward for us. Supervisor Meyers and I moved this project along as quickly as we did because we felt it was a great way to add to the level of transparency that the community expects from its police. These body cameras will not only contribute to further enhance the trust level that the New Windsor community has in its police force but they will also enhance officer safety. I want to thank the businesses in town that donated towards the costs of the project. Their generosity took a majority of the costs off of the taxpayers. Also, Patrick Mangan of our town’s Information Technology Department, played a huge role in this project’s success and its implementation. I think this whole project is a great example of how the police and the community can work together to get things done for the benefit of everyone involved.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-10 Issued on: 06/09/23
On June 30, 2023 New Windsor Police Officer Brian Levy and K-9 Marty graduated from the Police Canine Patrol School that was hosted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The school consisted of 16 weeks of hands-on training where the officer and the K-9 were instructed in obedience, agility, evidence recovery, criminal apprehension, and searching for suspects and missing persons.
Officer Levy and K-9 Marty were already certified in explosive detection and are capable of indicating on 21 explosive odors. Officer Levy has been serving with the New Windsor Police Department since 2017. He is a proactive member of the department and has served in the Community Policing Unit and the Bicycle Patrol Unit. He was recognized as the Department’s 2020 Officer of the Year.
K-9 Marty is a two-year-old German Shepherd, imported from the Slavic Republic. He was named after former New Windsor Police Detective Marty Mitchetti Jr. who passed away in 2005. Detective Mitchetti was a canine handler at the time of his death.
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-12 Issued on: August 14, 2023
The New Windsor Police Department has announced a new program to aid members of vulnerable populations. The department has created a voluntary registry where family members may supply vital information about loved ones who are prone to wandering. This may include individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury or any other type of special needs, physical or mental disability.
Participation in this program is completely voluntary and information provided will be kept at the Police Department and only used when necessary to identify or locate a missing or wandering person. In the event of an emergency, this information can allow officers to quickly and efficiently handle any incident that may arise. It provides officers with relevant and pertinent details that aid in identifying and reconnecting vulnerable persons with their loved one when minutes count.
New Windsor Police Chief, Dan Valeri stated, “Often times, police officers encounter individuals who may not be able to identify themselves or provide their home address. Being able to search the registry, can assist officers in identifying these individuals and getting them home safely. Additionally, when a family member needs to report their loved one missing, the necessary information is already available for police to disseminate and begin a search.”
The goal of the program is to promote community safety, improve officer safety, increase the efficiency of operations, and give community members some peace of mind for loved ones that may be prone to wandering.
Registration forms are available online by clicking HERE or in person at the Police Department or Town Clerk, Kelly Allegra’s Office. For further information about the program, contact Sgt. Sylvester at 563-4660.
PRESS RELEASE
New Windsor P.D. Receives Implicit-Bias Awareness Training
Release Date – August 25, 2020:
The Town of New Windsor Police Department recently completed a training in the specialized area of implicit-bias awareness. This recently updated and state-of-the-art training, known as Fair and Impartial Policing was taught to all 50 sworn-members of the Police Department by an instructor from the nation’s #1 provider of this type of training. This very sought after training is currently being taught to police agencies of all types and sizes around the country, including many major cities.
The training aims to educate Officers about how implicit biases can have negative consequences on an Officer’s perceptions and behavior as they do their job. This specific training curriculum is unique because it takes a science based approach to train Officers in the use of new skills that they can use to reduce and manage any biases that they may have. These same skills have been shown to promote working in a more safe, just and effective manner.
Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “This training continues our ongoing commitment to serve the community in a courteous, impartial and fair way. There is simply no place for prejudice or discrimination in police work. While we already have written policies in place that directly reflect these fundamental principles, this training really took a hands-on approach to reinforce to us how some implicit biases can negatively impact even the most well-intentioned Officer’s actions. I am hopeful that this training helps build upon the exceptional level of trust that our community has graciously bestowed upon us over the years.”
Photo: A group of Police Officers participate in the Fair and Impartial Policing training while practicing safe COVID-19 protocols.