Vestal Police Chief to Retire in January

Another police department in Broome County is getting a new chief.

A change in leadership is about to occur in the town of Vestal police department.

Police Chief Stace Kintner has once again decided to retire from the agency. The retirement, which has been accepted by the Vestal town board, will be effective January 30.

Kintner in February 2024 announced plans for retirement and the town board appointed Captain Christopher Streno to be the new chief. But Kintner changed his mind and chose to remain with the police department. A few months later, Streno decided to retire.

Kintner became Vestal police chief in January 2022 in the wake of the resignation of chief John Butler.

After accepting Kintner's new letter of retirement, the town board voted to appoint Lieutenant Vincent Stavola to be the next police chief. His appointment is to take effect on January 31.

Vestal town supervisor Maria Sexton - who once served as a New York Police Department sergeant, noted Stavola also gained law enforcement experience working for the NYPD.

Sexton said Stavola is "definitely the best choice" to be Vestal's next police chief. She said the leadership transition is going "smoothly."

Kintner and Stavola did not return calls seeking comment.

A source told WNBF News Kintner is planning to work for the Broome County District Attorney's office after he steps down as Vestal police chief. Sexton would not confirm that and DA Paul Battisti could not be reached for comment.

Nicole Leonard, the district attorney's public relations coordinator, said she had not been advised Kintner would be working for the office.

While Vestal residents now know who will lead their town police department, people in Binghamton are waiting for Mayor Jared Kraham's appointment of a permanent police chief.

Kraham has said he intends to announce his choice by the end of December. The candidates seeking the job are assistant chief John Ryan, Captain Larry Hendrickson, Captain John Chapman and Captain Conor Heslin.

Ryan has been acting police chief since Joseph Zikuski was placed on administrative leave since an incident involving his girlfriend last July.

Zikuski eventually resigned just before a highly-critical report on his conduct was made public.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.