Bedford Names New Police Chief

The town of Bedford has a new police chief.

William J. Hayes has accepted the town's offer to serve as Chief of Police effective June 16.

Hayes takes the reins from Edward Collins, who was acting police chief for the past nine months. Collins, who will return to his role as lieutenant next week, temporarily replaced  Chris Menzel after he retired last October.

Hayes was selected after taking the rigorous civil service exam for police chiefs, which tests an individual's knowledge of law enforcement methods, state laws and communications skills, and undergoing an interview process with the town board.

"William Hayes is an amazing person with wonderful credentials," said Town Supervisor Lee Roberts. "He's an expert in the National Incident Management System and has an impressive academic background. We're very excited to have him on board," she said.

Hayes is a 24-year veteran of law enforcement, with the last 12 years spent moving up the ranks at the Bedford police department. During his career here, which began in 1998, he served as patrol supervisor, police instructor, field training officer, emergency management liaison, emergency medical technician, systems security officer and president of the police benevolent association.

Prior to his appointment as chief, he was serving as the Detective Bureau Commander, with supervisory responsibilities for the youth bureau and school resource officers. Hayes also spent 11 years with Carmel Police Department.

Patch caught up with Hayes while he was encamped in his old office, still adjusting the new title. He's excited about his new role, but also knows he'll face challenges in maintaining the high-quality service the 40-member force provides to the community.

"The government is under scrutiny to do their jobs more efficiently," he said. "We'll be working hard to maintain our service with even more efficiencies. But I have great support from the senior staff here, and I think the transition will be as seamless as possible."

The Brooklyn native was raised in Nassau County, on the Queens border. After attending high school in Mahopac, he began his college career at SUNY Albany, later graduating from Mercy College with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. Hayes is also a graduate of the FBI Academy.

Hayes grew up around uncles who were police officers, and was further drawn to criminal justice when he took part in a high school police explorers program through the Carmel police deparement.

He also had a unique experience as a young teen that had an impact lasting until this day.

"My Dad had an assignment in Tehran for two years," he said. "While I went to the American school there, we were totally immersed in local culture, which made me more aware of diversity, and accepting of differences," he said.

Hayes currently resides in Bedford Hills with his wife and three children. He will be sworn in next Wednesday June 16 at 9 a.m. in the Bedford Town Court.