City Of Glen Cove Police Of Chief Whitton Retires, Successor Appointed

GLEN COVE, NY — After 41 years of service, 18 of them as Chief of Police for the City of Glen Cove, Chief William F. Whitton retired, and Christopher Ortiz was sworn in as his successor.

The Glen Cove Police Department has had only 10 Chiefs since the City was founded in 1917. Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck shared her appreciation for both Whitton and Ortiz: "I never have to worry when it comes to our police department."

Whitton began his service for the City of Glen Cove in 1984. He graduated from the Nassau County Police Academy and has since served in multiple departments, including undercover narcotics, motorcycle patrol, Defensive Tactics Unit, and as a PRIDE instructor in elementary schools.

He's received multiple honors, including the Nassau County Police Reserves Top Cop Award, the national Night Out Person of the Year, and 36 Excellent Police Duty Citations.

His ceremonial walkout was held on Nov. 14 and included a two-helicopter flyover to honor his service. Many community members, officials, officers, and his family were in attendance.

The new Chief of Police and lifelong Glen Cove resident, Ortiz, spoke during the retirement tribute, sharing his respect and praise for the former chief.

"Chief Whitton is my mentor and my friend, and he will forever be that to me," Ortiz said. "He is an incredible man, and I congratulate him on an extraordinary career. I am honored to follow in his footsteps and to continue serving the people of Glen Cove with the same integrity and dedication he exemplified.”

Ortiz was sworn in on Nov. 18 and has been in law enforcement for more than 25 years. He joined the NYPD in 1997 and has a PhD in criminal justice. He has also taught as a professor and has published academic works.

Former Chief Whitton shared his support for Chief Ortiz during a special council meeting.

"I’ve had the good fortune to work with Chris for the last eleven years, traveling and training together, and you learn who a person truly is when you spend that kind of time with them," Whitton said. "I know Chris to be highly intelligent, with a great moral compass— loyal and logical— and he has the attributes needed to succeed in this job."