During the Maybrook Village Board meeting Monday, Dennis Barnett was appointed second-in-charge of the village police department. It was a homecoming of sorts as Dennis’ father, former deputy mayor James Barnett, was one of Maybrook Police Department’s original police chiefs before the new Civil Service rules changed the manner in which police chiefs could be appointed.

At the meeting last week Dennis Barnett was appointed Maybrook part-time police lieutenant, effective June 1, with a pay rate of $45.28 per hour. He will serve a probationary period of six months before becoming permanent. Barnett will serve directly under Chief Arnold “Butch” Amthor.

Dennis’ proven experience and leadership as a police officer and as an instructor has made him a tremendous asset to out department,” said Mayor Dennis Leahy. “As a sergeant, he has proven his value to the department and he will assist Chief Amthor in restructuring the department.”

Barnett was a part-time Maybrook police officer before leaving for a full-time position with the Town of Montgomery Police Department. He retired from there in 2018 after 19.5 years of service. Upon his retirement from the town, Barnett, who had been a part-time Maybrook police officer, was promoted to sergeant in Maybrook in 2018.