Chief Kimberly Stewart has recently announced her official intent to retire from the Erie Police Department. Her final day will land ten years to the date of her start as a commander in 2013. Over the past ten years, her commitment has impacted every community member.
One such achievement during her tenure was surpassing the nationwide '30x30 Initiative' without signing the official pledge, but by naturally doing so simply because she knew it was the right thing to do. She departs the Erie Police Department standing at 40 percent female, seven years before the national goal of 30 percent female by 2030.
With Chief Stewart at the helm, the entire department more than doubled. She also established new positions and sections to include a detective sergeant, training sergeant, traffic unit, public information officer, victim services unit, and drone and K9 units.
In addition, Chief Stewart implemented community review panels to assess professional standards and directives and expanded the property and evidence unit. "Chief's leadership, dedication, and passion for service have inspired many. She has been a trailblazer, mentor, and an advocate for change. She has led us with a steady hand, a compassionate heart, and an unwavering commitment to our community," remarked Deputy Chief Lee Mathis.
Chief Stewart will retire on August 30, 2023.
With the leadership of Chief Kimberly Stewart, the four-person command-level staff thoughtfully designed a succession plan. On Friday, June 16, due to an internal process, Malcolm Fleming, the Town Administrator, announced the upcoming appointment of Deputy Chief Lee Mathis to Chief. Fleming said, "I value his personable approach and long-term vision. Lee excels at supervising and managing diverse law enforcement teams and complex budgets and has a stellar track record with internal collaboration and communication."
Mathis has served the Town of Erie since 2005, his entire law enforcement career spanning 28 years. In his tenure at Erie, he helped guide the department from 12 officers and two support staff to the current authorized strength of 46 officers and nine support staff. He has helped lead a capital construction project relocating the department from Town Hall to a new Erie Police and Municipal Courts building on Telleen Avenue in 2015. Lee has led community engagement and strategic planning efforts and was instrumental in creating the Professional Standards Review Panel, the Directive Task Force, and the Community Police Academy.
Lee obtained his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Northern Colorado. He had the distinct honor of attending the 275th session of the FBI National Academy in 2019. Lee is an Erie resident, having raised two Erie High School graduates, and credits much of his success to his wife Kristi of 31 years.
"I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next Chief of Police for the Town of Erie. I look forward to continuing to work with the community to provide exceptional police services."
Deputy Chief Mathis will be appointed to Chief on August 30, 2023.
With the appointment of Lee Mathis to Chief, his vacancy as Deputy Chief needs to be filled. As a result of an internal process, congratulations are to Commander Heather Carmosino, who, through an internal process, was selected to be promoted to Deputy Chief. "Commander Carmosino has an excellent base of experience and all the skills needed to be successful as the Deputy Chief of our Department, and I am honored to select her for this vital position," said the current Deputy Chief, Lee Mathis.
Commander Carmosino came to the Erie Police Department in 2022 with more than 16 years in law enforcement, a bachelor's in criminal justice, a master's in management, and a graduate of the 386th session of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. She will serve as the first-ever female Deputy Chief for Erie.
Commander Heather Carmosino will be promoted to Deputy Chief on August 30, 2023.
With the promotion of Commander Carmosino to Deputy Chief, her vacancy has prompted the need to recruit a commander candidate.
Qualified individuals are invited to learn more about the position by visiting https://lnkd.in/g9h5wD6Y.