Millbrook, Millerton police chiefs represent rural voice in county leadership

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Police Chief Keith Dworkin has been elected president of the Dutchess County Association of Police Chiefs, placing a rural voice in a key county leadership role at a time when smaller departments are grappling with staffing and resource challenges.

Dworkin, who has been a member of the association for five years, said the role offers an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among law enforcement leaders across the county.

“I was really happy to be able to step into this role,” Dworkin said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to maintain strong working relationships among departments and continue improving how we serve our communities.”

Dworkin’s appointment was also welcomed by Dutchess County Legislator Eric Alexander, who represents Millbrook, Amenia, Washington and part of Pleasant Valley.

“Chief Dworkin is an outstanding manager who has brought a new level of professionalism to our police force,” Alexander said. “His election to this prestigious position is clear recognition of the sophistication, commitment to community and strong leadership he has displayed throughout his career. Millbrook is lucky to have him.”

Dworkin assumes the presidency after serving as treasurer, secretary and vice president of the organization, which brings together chiefs and department leaders from agencies of all sizes across Dutchess County.

The group meets approximately five times a year, convening police chiefs, captains, lieutenants and other department heads to discuss shared challenges, legislative updates and emerging trends in law enforcement.

While departments vary in size and resources, Dworkin said many of the issues are universal.

“Whether you’re a large agency or a small one, we’re all dealing with recruitment, retention and training,” he said. “The issues may look a little different, but they often apply across the board. The goal is to work together and keep those lines of communication open.”

A key priority during his one-year term will be expanding training opportunities and ensuring departments have access to evolving tools and technologies, Dworkin said.

“We’re looking at how we can better provide relevant training to all levels of officers,” Dworkin said. “That includes working with the state and outside resources, and bringing in vendors to talk about things like records management systems and other technology that’s constantly changing.”

The association also serves as a forum for discussion around legislation and policy, often inviting elected officials to speak with law enforcement leaders.

Among the ongoing concerns is the state’s cap on earnings for retired police officers working part-time, which Dworkin said has made it more difficult for smaller departments to maintain adequate staffing.

“It hasn’t kept up with the cost of living, and it really impacts our ability to provide coverage,” he said. “Recruitment and retention continue to be major challenges, especially for smaller agencies.”

That perspective is shared by Millerton Police Chief Joe Olenik, who also participates in countywide discussions – currently serving as treasurer – and represents northeastern Dutchess communities.

“Olenik and I have gotten to know each other over the last few years, and we deal with a lot of similar challenges,” Dworkin said. “We’re smaller agencies, and we don’t always have the same resources, so working together is critical to overcoming those hurdles.”

Beyond formal meetings, Dworkin said the value of the association lies in the camaraderie and relationships built between departments.

“It’s a great collaborative effort,” he said. “It’s great to share ideas, help each other out, even in small ways. Everything we do is collaborative, and that’s what makes the association so valuable.”